Protect Uganda-DRC Border Communities from Ebola

Dear Donor,

Uganda has achieved a major public health milestone with the official confirmation that the 2026 Ebola outbreak has ended. The country recorded 20 confirmed cases, of whom 18 recovered and two sadly lost their lives. Fifteen of the confirmed cases were imported from the Democratic Republic of Congo, while five were Ugandan healthcare workers who became infected while caring for imported cases. Uganda completed the required 42-day period without a new locally transmitted case, demonstrating the effectiveness of surveillance, contact tracing, infection prevention, treatment, and community engagement.

However, the situation across the border remains extremely concerning. The DRC continues to experience a rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak, with recent reports indicating more than 5,500 confirmed infections and more than 2,700 deaths. The outbreak is being driven by the Bundibugyo virus and has spread across multiple provinces and health zones.

Development Alert is therefore continuing its grassroots preparedness work in communities connected to the Uganda–DRC border. Our interventions include community health education, early-alert systems, hygiene promotion, engagement with local leaders, support to community volunteers, and preparedness at schools, markets, transport stages, and other high-movement locations.

The field motorcycle acquired through donor support continues to strengthen our ability to reach remote communities, conduct follow-up visits, deliver educational materials, and respond rapidly when communities report health concerns.

Uganda's success demonstrates that community-centered action saves lives. Our next priority is ensuring that the systems strengthened during the outbreak remain active while supporting vulnerable communities affected by the continuing crisis across the border.

We thank every donor and partner who made this work possible. Your support helped protect Uganda and continues strengthening preparedness where it is needed most.

Dear donor,

Uganda's successful Ebola response has created an important opportunity to transform emergency interventions into lasting community preparedness. The country recorded 20 confirmed cases and two deaths before being declared Ebola-free on July 28. This achievement was made possible through the combined efforts of health authorities, frontline workers, communities, volunteers, and partners.

But the regional emergency continues. As of August 16, the Democratic Republic of Congo had recorded 4,945 confirmed cases and 2,325 deaths. The DRC outbreak has now surpassed the country's previous Ebola record and become its deadliest outbreak.

The scale of the DRC crisis reinforces the importance of regional solidarity. Communities cannot be protected by national borders alone when families, traders, healthcare workers, transport operators, and travelers regularly move between neighboring countries.

Development Alert therefore continues supporting preparedness among communities connected to the Uganda–DRC border. Our interventions include health education, community surveillance, hygiene promotion, early-alert systems, support to community volunteers, engagement with local leaders, and rapid field mobility.

We are also preserving the emergency response infrastructure developed during Uganda's outbreak. The field motorcycle continues supporting community outreach, follow-up visits, contact-tracing readiness, emergency response, and delivery of supplies and educational materials.

Our work is guided by one simple principle: prepared communities are safer communities. When people know what to look for, where to report concerns, and how to access trusted information, response teams have a stronger chance of acting before an outbreak spreads further.

We celebrate Uganda's success while recognizing the enormous challenges facing our neighbors in the DRC. The continuing crisis reminds us that preparedness, community trust, and rapid response are investments that must continue.

Your support is helping Development Alert stand with vulnerable border communities, preserve Uganda's hard-won progress, and strengthen grassroots health resilience across the region.