Ebola Spreads in DRC Camps

Overcrowded Camps in Eastern DRC Fuel Ebola Spread, UN Says

By Gladies Rajan - July 21, 2026

Ebola Spread

Overcrowding Raises Ebola Risk

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and other UN agencies have sounded the alarm that displacement sites in Ituri province and neighbouring areas are particularly vulnerable as the current Ebola outbreak collides with conflict, hunger, and mass population movements. OCHA reported confirmed Ebola cases in at least 16 displacement sites hosting more than 270,000 people, where cramped conditions and limited water, sanitation, and health services make containment extremely difficult.

Scale and Spread of the Outbreak

UN and WHO updates show the outbreak has accelerated in eastern DRC, with hundreds of confirmed cases and deaths recorded across multiple health zones. WHO has raised the national risk level to “very high”, noting that insecurity and attacks on health facilities have hampered contact tracing, isolation, and vaccination efforts, all critical tools for stopping Ebola. The UN has warned that the outbreak’s spread into displacement sites could drive a rapid increase in cases if urgent measures are not scaled up.

Humanitarian Response Under Strain

Humanitarian agencies are stepping up prevention and awareness activities in camps, including the installation of handwashing stations, community outreach, and targeted hygiene promotion; however, they say resources remain insufficient given the scale of displacement and the volatile security environment. UNHCR and partners are prioritizing water, sanitation, and infection prevention supplies while trying to maintain safe access for health teams.

Children and Vulnerable Groups at Higher Risk

UN agencies highlight that children and people in crowded communal shelters are especially vulnerable, both because of close contact with caregivers and limited ability to isolate sick family members. UNICEF has warned that children make up a significant share of cases and deaths in the outbreak, underscoring the need for child-sensitive protection and health services in displacement settings.

What the UN Is Calling For

The UN is urging:
•   Immediate scale-up of surveillance, testing, and vaccination in and around displacement sites.
•   Expanded water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services and infection prevention supplies in camps.
•   Safe humanitarian access and protection for health workers operating in insecure areas.

Outlook

Humanitarian and health officials warn that without rapid, well-resourced action to reduce overcrowding and improve basic services, displacement sites could become focal points for wider transmission, complicating containment efforts across the region and increasing cross-border risks. The UN’s appeals for funding and security guarantees aim to avert that scenario and protect some of the most vulnerable populations in eastern DRC.