Responding to Ebola in the DRC

When an outbreak of infectious disease happens, communities are often unprepared. After an outbreak of Ebola was declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in mid-May, many health facilities had to be adapted to screen and treat patients—and some had to be built.

With support from the US Department of State and other donors, International Medical Corps is responding by building Ebola treatment centers, transit centers and screening-and-referral units—as well as trust and understanding within the community. Our team includes trained medical staff as well as specialists who provide support with Ebola case management, infection prevention and control, community outreach, and water, sanitation and hygiene.

Drawing on our extensive experience with Ebola, we have been coordinating our response with ministries of health and working closely with national authorities and partners. Our work includes:

• constructing and managing Ebola treatment centers, transit centers and screening-and-referral units;
• delivering medicines and supplies, such as personal protective equipment;
• helping local health facilities prepare to receive suspected cases of Ebola;
• supporting contact tracing and surveillance;
• conducting just-in-time training for health workers and community members on Ebola symptoms, risks, prevention and safety, including safe and dignified burials;
• and helping to maintain access to lifesaving services for broader healthcare needs beyond Ebola.

With the delay in initial detection, no approved Ebola vaccine or treatment, a highly mobile population—making contact tracing difficult—and an epicenter in an area experiencing civil conflict, containment has proved difficult. Confirmed cases and deaths are continuing to rise rapidly (this outbreak is the fastest-growing in history), and need is currently outpacing resources.

International Medical Corps is supporting Ebola preparedness, prevention and treatment across 30 health zones in the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan. We continue to work with national and local health authorities as well as humanitarian and local partners to expand our response to meet the growing demand.