Protect Uganda-DRC Border Communities from Ebola

Dear Donor,

The continuing Ebola emergency demonstrates the importance of ensuring that people with concerning symptoms can reach appropriate healthcare quickly.

As of 16 September, WHO reported 7,475 confirmed Ebola cases and 3,605 deaths in the DRC, while ECDC reported 905 patients hospitalized in isolation.

Development Alert continues encouraging communities to seek professional medical assessment promptly when serious illness occurs.

Our awareness activities emphasize that people should not attempt to diagnose Ebola themselves. Instead, families should contact appropriate health services and follow guidance from trained professionals.

We also promote safe referral practices. Communities need to understand that transporting or physically handling someone suspected of having Ebola without appropriate guidance can increase exposure risks.

Our work therefore focuses on communication: recognizing concerning illness, reporting it, following health guidance and supporting trained responders.

We also engage local leaders and community volunteers to reduce fear surrounding referral and contact monitoring.

People may hesitate to report illness because they fear stigma or worry about what will happen to a family member. Compassionate communication can help address these concerns.

WHO reports that delayed detection remains an important challenge in the DRC because it can increase transmission within households, communities and healthcare settings.

Development Alert's preparedness activities seek to reduce those delays by strengthening knowledge before emergencies occur.

We also recognize that access is a practical challenge. Rural families may live far from health facilities or face transportation difficulties. Community mobilization and local communication networks can help connect households with appropriate services more quickly.

Our goal is simple: when a family needs professional health assistance, they should know where to turn and why acting early matters.

Dear Donor,

Accurate information remains one of the most powerful tools available during an Ebola outbreak.

The latest WHO figures show that the DRC has recorded 7,475 confirmed cases and 3,605 deaths, with the outbreak continuing across seven provinces.

Development Alert continues promoting risk communication so communities can make informed decisions based on reliable health information rather than rumors.

Our community engagement work focuses on clear, practical messages about early reporting, hygiene, appropriate healthcare seeking, contact tracing and cooperation with trained health workers.

We work through trusted community voices because information is more likely to be accepted when communicated by people whom residents already know. Local leaders, teachers, religious leaders, youth representatives, women leaders and community volunteers can all help translate public-health messages into language and examples that communities understand.

We also encourage dialogue. During an outbreak, people may have genuine concerns about testing, isolation, treatment, contact monitoring or visiting health facilities. Giving communities opportunities to ask questions helps reduce fear and misinformation.

Another important component is stigma reduction. People suspected of having Ebola, survivors, healthcare workers and affected families should not be blamed or socially excluded.

Fear can become an obstacle to outbreak control if people hide illness or avoid health services.

WHO's current response includes community engagement alongside surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, clinical care, logistics and research.

Development Alert's role is to reinforce these efforts at community level.

We want people to understand not only what Ebola is, but also what they can responsibly do when they encounter a health concern.

Your continued support helps turn accurate information into community action—one household, school, market and village at a time.