KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is intensifying support in food, logistics and telecommunications in the eastern region of the DRC, where Ebola is spreading among communities already affected by conflicts, displacement and severe food insecurity.
The epidemic is aggravating one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world. Without urgent support, the growing need for food, insecurity and population movements could make it more difficult for families to comply with recommended health measures, increasing the risk of further transmissions.
Yesterday the Wfp released the latest updates on food safety and operations in the affected territory.
The health situation and food security in eastern DRC are deteriorating. Ebola cases continue to be reported in the provinces of Ituri and northern North Kivu, requiring continuous containment measures to prevent further spreads in and out of the affected areas.
The virus currently affects 34 health areas between Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.
Thirty of these areas are already affected by crisis or higher levels of food insecurity (IPC Phase 3+), including seven in a state of food emergency (IPC Phase 4).
Over 10 million people in the eastern region of the DRC are food insecure, leaving many families with limited resources to deal with more shocks.
WFP supports more than 1.2 million people with food assistance, nutritional support, logistics, telecommunications and air services to keep the health response active.
More than 36,000 hot meals have been distributed to over 1,600 patients, caregivers and contacts in 14 treatment and isolation centers since May 28.
Home-taken rations supported over 2,600 people in North Kivu and Ituri.
Monthly food assistance reaches 14,000 people in ten quarantined villages in South Kivu.
The WFP is currently supporting nutritional activities in seven affected health areas, although gaps in nutritional screening and weak triage systems limit targeted interventions.
WFP logistics and supply chain operations:
WFP provides the logistical infrastructure for the Ebola response, helping health and humanitarian partners to reach affected communities quickly and safely.
The United Nations Humanitarian Air Service managed by WFP (UNHAS) carried out 268 flights, transported over 1,750 humanitarian workers and delivered 36 tons of viable goods to first intervention zones.
UNHAS operates with daily flights connecting Kinshasa, Bunia, Beni and other priority places of the epidemic.
WFP-freed planes handled nearly 154 tons of medical supplies, PPE, laboratory equipment and other life-saving goods to the affected areas.
A dedicated helicopter facilitates access to outbreaks such as Mongbwalu and Nyakunde.
A Hercules C-130 aircraft transported vital goods from Uganda to Bunia, with over 150 tons of essential supplies handled so far.
Three Epishuttle isolation units were placed in Bunia to safely evacuate confirmed cases, with MEDEVAC training coordinated with partners.
The WFP and partners are expanding access to recently affected areas, including Butembo, Bambu, Kilo, Nizi, Tchomia and Kasenyi, where acute hunger and displacement are already widespread.
Insecurity and access restrictions remain major obstacles, with health areas involved close to the lines of conflict and communities forced to move in search of food and safety.
WFP urgently needs USD 72 million over the next six months to support food assistance, humanitarian air services UNHAS and logistical operations for Ebola response.
Throughout the territory of the DRC, the WFP needs 286 million USD in the next six months to ensure continued vital food support.
WFP is deeply concerned about vulnerable people trapped in inaccessible areas, where hunger and malnutrition are likely to worsen as the lean season approaches.
