Protect Uganda-DRC Border Communities from Ebola

Dear Donor,

The geographic expansion of Ebola in the DRC remains one of the most important developments in the current outbreak.

WHO reported that the outbreak had expanded to 62 health zones across seven provinces, with the first confirmed case in Bulu Health Zone in Sud-Ubangi representing the latest geographic expansion.

This expansion demonstrates why preparedness must extend beyond the locations that have historically recorded the highest number of cases.

Development Alert continues supporting community awareness in areas where people may have limited access to reliable health information.

Our approach emphasizes early reporting, hygiene, community surveillance and communication with health authorities. We work through trusted local networks because they can reach households faster and more effectively than centralized communication alone.

We are also attentive to communities along transport routes and areas connected through trade and family movement.

The expansion into new health zones creates additional challenges for surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing, infection prevention and community engagement.

WHO reports that these response pillars are being scaled up across affected areas, while additional resources are being mobilized to sustain operations.

Development Alert's community-level role is to help ensure that people understand what they can do when concerns arise.

We encourage residents to seek professional medical advice, report unusual illness promptly and avoid relying on rumors.

Every new area reached with reliable information represents another opportunity to detect illness early and prevent further transmission.

Dear Donor,

The latest Ebola situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to demonstrate both the scale of the emergency and the importance of sustained community action. According to the latest ECDC update, the DRC reported 7,475 confirmed cases and 3,605 related deaths as of 16 September 2026, with 905 patients hospitalized in isolation.

At the same time, WHO and Africa CDC report encouraging signs in some of the hardest-hit areas, particularly parts of Ituri. However, transmission remains uneven, with increases continuing in some areas, including parts of North Kivu. Africa CDC has therefore emphasized that the outbreak remains a continental emergency and that response activities must continue at high intensity.

Development Alert continues strengthening community preparedness in response to this evolving situation.

Our work focuses on ensuring that health information reaches households before misinformation does. We engage community leaders, volunteers, teachers, youth, women, transport workers and other trusted community representatives to promote early reporting, appropriate healthcare seeking, hygiene and cooperation with trained health teams.

We also emphasize that communities should not become complacent when case numbers decline in particular locations. Localized improvements are encouraging, but the regional situation remains dynamic.

Preparedness therefore includes maintaining community surveillance, supporting risk communication, encouraging early referral and strengthening relationships between communities and formal health structures.

The lessons from Uganda's successful containment remain particularly valuable. Uganda ended its Ebola outbreak after completing the required 42-day monitoring period without a new confirmed case.

Your continued support helps Development Alert turn these lessons into practical community preparedness—protecting families today while strengthening resilience for tomorrow.