World Vision DRC mobilises national response to Ebola outbreak
International children’s charity, World Vision UK, has launched an urgent fundraising appeal in response to the sharply escalating and rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): https://www.worldvision.org.uk/emergencies/drc-ebola-emergency-appeal
Initial reports on 15 May 2026 indicated 246 suspected cases and 80 deaths in DRC; by 18 May 2026, suspected cases had risen to 516, with 131 reported deaths. To date the WHO has stated the outbreak has now claimed 220 lives.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed that the outbreak is outpacing the efforts of the emergency health response, naming it officially “a public health emergency of international concern”. Of particular concern is that there is no licenced vaccine for this particular strain of the virus (Bundibugyo virus) or approved treatments, and comes at a time when the country is already facing compounding humanitarian challenges such as conflict, battling concurrent health emergencies, and 5.6m of the population living in temporary and crowded living conditions with limited sanitation due to internal displacement.
World Vision – which has been operating in the DRC for four decades - is rapidly upscaling its humanitarian response to limit the spread of the deadly virus. The main focus will involve Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) measures, including safe latrines, water points and handwashing stations, as well as community engagement and education on hygiene and disease prevention.
“For children, the risks are especially acute. Years of conflict have weakened community systems, and acute malnutrition has left many young bodies too fragile to withstand a virus as aggressive as Ebola. This outbreak is not happening in isolation. It is unfolding in a province already stretched to its limits,” says Philippe Guiton, National Director of World Vision DRC.
World Vision has declared a Category 3 National Response in DRC, and World Vision’s DRC Ebola fundraising appeal will support immediate response measures such as:
Providing psychosocial support to address stress and anxiety related to the outbreak
Restriction of non-essential travel to outbreak zones
Enhancing public awareness of Ebola risks at the community level
Promoting hygiene and sanitation practices to prevent infection
"World Vision has responded to Ebola outbreaks across DRC, Uganda, and West Africa. We have seen communities overcome fear, rebuild trust, and protect their children. We know what is possible when the world pays attention," adds Philippe Guiton.
In 2019 – when DRC suffered the second largest ever Ebola outbreak which saw nearly 2,300 lives claimed – World Vision’s response included the distribution of hygiene kits, psychosocial support, education programmes, food support and trained up community faith leaders and motorcyclists to deliver essential health education to families living in the country’s most rural, remote and hard to reach places.
This is the 17th Ebola outbreak in DRC since the virus was first identified in 1976. Ebola previously caught headlines with the Western African Ebola epidemic between 2014-2016 and causing over 11,000 deaths across the region and spread to seven other countries, including the United Kingdom.
Risk of escalation and spread to surrounding countries
Ebola poses a serious public health threat to South Sudan too. With porous borders, frequent population movements, and an already fragile health system, vulnerable communities - especially women and children - face heightened risk. World Vision South Sudan anticipates that any outbreak in the country could result in significant loss of life, given the high levels of hunger and malnutrition and the already overstretched health system.
World Vision Uganda is also closely monitoring the evolving situation. Teams are in active coordination with the Ministry of Health and key partners to strengthen preparedness measures in response to the Ebola alert.
ENDS
For media spokespeople and further information please contact:
Sam Bishop (WhatsApp 07942 101023) / sam.bishop@worldvision.org.uk )
Louise Amodio (WhatsApp 07957 111780) / louise.amodio@worldvision.org.uk )
Media inbox: wvukmedia@worldvision.org.uk
