Ebola Crisis in the DRC - Emergency Medical Treatment - Doctors Without Borders (MSF) 2019/20

October 2019 - A 10th outbreak of the Ebola virus disease was declared in North Kivu and Ituri provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on August 1 2018. North Kivu and Ituri are among the most populated provinces in the DRC. The provinces have been experiencing intense insecurity and a worsening humanitarian crisis with limited access and over one million internally displaced people. The continuous movement of refugees to neighbouring countries including Uganda Burundi and Tanzania represents a risk of spreading the outbreak to other provinces and neighbouring countries. With GAC’s support Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is helping to meet the immediate medical needs of persons infected by or at risk of contracting Ebola in the affected health zones. MSF specializes in emergency health services and is the lead on Ebola treatment in the DRC. Project activities include: (1) increasing access to quality primary healthcare and isolation centres for women girls men and boys living in the Ebola affected health zones; (2) increasing awareness about prevention measures and availability of treatment through affected communities; (3) improving surveillance case management and infection management and control; and (4) raising awareness and immunization of at-risk groups.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased access to medical care for people infected by or at risk of contracting Ebola; and (2) improved surveillance early detection rapid assessment and effective response to the Ebola outbreak. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crisis or acute food insecurity.