Protect Uganda-DRC Border Communities from Ebola

Dear Donor,

Laboratory testing is essential for confirming suspected Ebola cases and guiding public-health action.

The latest WHO figures show 7,475 confirmed DRC cases and 3,605 deaths as of 16 September, illustrating the scale of the current response.

Development Alert continues educating communities about the importance of professional testing and appropriate referral.

A major challenge during outbreaks is that symptoms can overlap with other illnesses. Communities should therefore avoid making assumptions based solely on symptoms.

Instead, people with concerning illness should be referred to trained health personnel who can determine what testing and care are appropriate.

We also encourage communities to cooperate with health teams collecting samples and conducting investigations.

Clear communication helps reduce fear surrounding laboratory procedures.

Testing results also contribute to surveillance by helping health authorities understand where transmission is occurring and where resources should be concentrated.

WHO identifies laboratory testing as one of the central components of the DRC response.

Development Alert's role is primarily community-facing: helping people understand why testing matters, reducing misinformation and encouraging cooperation with trained health personnel.

Accurate diagnosis is the foundation for accurate response—and informed communities make that process safer and more effective.

Dear Donor,

Community volunteers are an important link between formal health services and households.

The DRC continues facing a major Ebola emergency, with 7,475 confirmed cases and 3,605 deaths recorded by 16 September.

Development Alert continues supporting community volunteers through awareness, communication and preparedness activities.

Volunteers can help distribute accurate information, identify community concerns and connect families with appropriate health services.

However, we emphasize that volunteers must operate within safe boundaries. They should not diagnose Ebola, handle suspected cases or undertake activities requiring professional training and protective equipment.

Their most important role is communication and mobilization.

We encourage volunteers to maintain trust with households, respect confidentiality and avoid spreading unverified information.

They can also help reduce stigma by encouraging communities to support affected families rather than blaming them.

Community volunteers are especially valuable in rural areas where formal health services may be distant.

They can help ensure that public-health messages reach people who might otherwise be missed.

WHO's response relies on community engagement alongside surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention and clinical care.

Development Alert is helping strengthen this community-level layer of preparedness.

A well-informed volunteer can connect a household to the right information at the right time—and that connection can make a meaningful difference during an outbreak.