A man wearing an action medeor T-shirt is washing his hands.
action medeor is supplying everything needed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to save lives during the Ebola epidemic. Photo: AFPDE/action medeor

Ebola 2026: A social crisis overlooked by the global public

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The number of people infected with Ebola and the death toll continue to rise in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The epidemic is increasingly turning into a social crisis.

Ebola in the DR Congo: Your help saves lives

It was 18 May when news of the Ebola outbreak reached ‘The World’s Emergency Pharmacy’. It immediately brought back memories of the epidemic from 2014 to 2016, which claimed the lives of thousands of people. In 2026, too, the outbreak struck the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a country where action medeor operates and where our Tönisvorst-based charity has been active for over 20 years.

“This epidemic is not just a medical emergency, but also a humanitarian and social crisis,” reports Dr Joseph Kasanda. He coordinates action medeor’s relief efforts against the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “On the ground, it is clear that the crisis is not solely due to medical causes, but is exacerbated by social tensions, fears and weak structures – and this is precisely what makes combating it considerably more difficult.”

New virus variant complicates containment
The 2026 Ebola epidemic is caused by the Bundibugyo virus – a pathogen for which there is as yet no approved vaccine. It is transmitted through contact with saliva, blood, vomit, urine, sweat, breast milk and semen. In particular, the burial of the deceased poses one of the highest risks of infection, as the bodies still contain high levels of the virus even after death. This makes protective measures, rapid diagnosis and the interruption of chains of infection all the more important.

Behind every infection figure is a human being

Take a mother like Eunice*, for example. When she learnt that she had contracted Ebola, she couldn’t believe it at first. Then she lost her husband and children to the disease. Despite her initial scepticism, Eunice decided to undergo treatment and was the only member of her family to survive.

Today, she looks after the children of Ebola patients outside the treatment centre in Rwampara. It is there that she meets six-year-old Imani*. The girl has lost almost her entire family to the virus. Only her brother is still alive, but his fate remains uncertain. She waits outside the treatment centre, hoping that he will be able to leave the facility – hopefully having recovered.

A man and a woman outside a health facility.
Emmanuel Limi (left), an action medeor employee, met a woman during his trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo who had lost her entire family to the Ebola virus. Photo: action medeor

There is still a shortage of vital aid

Our colleague Emmanuel Limi met Eunice and Imani during his trip to the epidemic zone. The two of them represent many families whose lives have been devastated by Ebola.

“I encountered a great deal of gratitude whilst I was there. But there is still a shortage of many things.”

Emmanuel Limi

Programme Team Leader and Head of action medeor projects in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The epidemic is not yet over. Medical protective equipment is urgently needed to prevent the virus from spreading further and to protect people from infection. As of mid-October, action medeor had sent three aid consignments containing protective equipment to the affected region of Ituri. However, the epidemic has not yet been contained. The number of people infected and the death toll continue to rise daily.

Every bit of help counts now!

Every consignment, training session and face mask helps to protect medical staff, save lives and give people in the DR Congo new hope.

*Name changed to protect privacy

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