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KINSHASA, DR Congo – A new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has claimed at least 25 lives, including 12 children, since it was declared on 5 September. The Kasai province is now the focus of urgent response efforts as UNICEF and its partners step in to protect vulnerable communities.
Nearly 45,000 doses of the Ebola vaccine are being rushed to Kasai, where the hotspot is Bulape and surrounding areas such as Mweka and Mushenge remain at high risk. Already, just over 20,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine have arrived, with vaccination campaigns underway for frontline health workers and people most at risk of infection. UNICEF is also ensuring that the vaccines are properly stored and transported, maintaining the cold chain to guarantee their effectiveness.
“This is one more step toward keeping children and families safe,” said UNICEF DRC Representative John Agbor. He emphasised that while vaccines are vital, they are only part of the response. “Children also need medical care if they fall ill, support to cope with trauma, safe spaces to learn and play, and guidance for families on how to protect themselves from the disease.”
So far, 47 suspected and confirmed cases have been recorded, 14 of them among children. More than 1,048 contacts have been identified and are being monitored by health teams. With the outbreak unfolding in one of the country’s most fragile regions, where weak health systems, unsafe water, shortages of medicine and poor sanitation are already daily challenges, families are in a particularly vulnerable position.
UNICEF is not only delivering vaccines but also reinforcing hygiene measures in schools, hospitals and child-friendly spaces. Life-saving information campaigns are underway to help families understand how to reduce the risk of infection. In addition, specialised teams are providing psychosocial support and child protection services for children affected by the outbreak.
This marks the sixteenth Ebola outbreak in the DRC since the virus was first discovered in 1976. The Kasai region has not faced such a crisis since 2008–2009, but the current situation highlights both the persistence of Ebola and the urgent need for long-term solutions.
Agbor stressed the importance of preparedness and investment in stronger health systems. “Outbreaks like this remind us how important global preparedness is, as well as the immediate response. Global solidarity and investment in strong public services and emergency systems will help protect children not just today, but from the next crisis as well.”
The work in Kasai is a race against time. Every vaccine delivered represents a chance to save lives, restore hope and strengthen resilience in communities that continue to face hardship.