Press action medeor

In healthcare facilities in the Ebola-affected region, action medeor is providing protective suits, masks and gloves, spray equipment and disinfectants, contactless forehead thermometers and handwashing stations. Meanwhile in Germany, the “world’s emergency pharmacy,” as action medeor is also known, is already preparing further relief measures to help curb the spread of the virus and reduce human suffering.

These and other measures have also been made possible by a major donation from entrepreneur Stefan Quandt, who has supported action medeor’s relief efforts with 500,000 euros. “This donation has been instrumental in enabling us to further strengthen our contribution to protecting people from Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” explains Angela Zeithammer, Board Member at action medeor. “Without this support, we would not have been able to implement many of our relief measures to this extent. We are therefore very grateful to Stefan Quandt for his commitment,” Zeithammer adds. The entrepreneur had already supported action medeor extensively in 2014 during the Ebola epidemic in West Africa.

The latest figures show that such support remains urgently needed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There are now more than 950 confirmed cases in the region, and around 250 people have already died from the virus (as of June 22, 2026). “Behind these statistics lie significant family tragedies,” reports Dr. Joseph Kasanda, a physician working on site for action medeor to coordinate the relief efforts. He has recently been in Bunia, the capital of Ituri province and the center of the epidemic, where he organized storage facilities for aid supplies.

“Doctor Joseph,” as he is called locally, is currently speaking frequently with doctors, nursing staff and people in the streets. He reports alarming conditions. “There are far more deaths than usual — everyone can feel it. The teams responsible for the safe and dignified burial of the deceased are overwhelmed. In some cases, it takes several days before bodies can be buried,” he says. Healthcare workers in particular are at high risk of infection. Around 60 healthcare workers have already fallen ill, and recently one doctor died. “People are afraid — deeply afraid. Some families have lost several relatives within just a few days. Such situations cause not only severe psychological trauma. You can literally feel the collective fear on the streets,” he explains. “This epidemic is not only a medical emergency — it is also a human, social and emotional crisis.”

For this reason, action medeor will further expand its support for healthcare facilities in the areas of infection control, disinfection, diagnosis and treatment, and will additionally implement measures to raise awareness among the population. “For action medeor, the priority is now to help contain the epidemic, but also to sustainably strengthen communities and healthcare systems in the region,” says Board Member Angela Zeithammer. “We are working with all our strength to achieve this.”

Anyone wishing to support the work of action medeor can do so by making a donation. Donations can be made online at www.medeor.de, where donors can also provide their address for a donation receipt. Alternatively, donations can be transferred via IBAN DE78 3205 0000 0000 0099 93 at Sparkasse Krefeld, reference: “Emergency Aid Worldwide.”