Support Community-Led Ebola Containment in Uganda

Dear Donor,

Women are the backbone of cross-border trade between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Every day, they transport agricultural produce, household goods, clothing, and essential commodities that sustain families and local economies. As Ebola response efforts continue, these women are also becoming powerful advocates for disease prevention. Thanks to your generous support, Development Alert is working closely with women traders to strengthen community health while protecting livelihoods.

Special awareness sessions are equipping women with practical knowledge about Ebola symptoms, infection prevention, hand hygiene, and safe trading practices. These sessions also encourage participants to share accurate information with customers, fellow traders, and family members, greatly extending the reach of prevention messages.

Women's savings groups and trader associations have become valuable platforms for discussing public health challenges, dispelling misinformation, and encouraging early reporting of illness. Handwashing stations positioned near market entrances are reinforcing healthy practices while creating safer trading environments for everyone.

Many women have expressed pride in becoming trusted sources of health information within their communities. Their leadership is strengthening trust between traders and health authorities while encouraging greater participation in community surveillance and prevention activities.

Your continued generosity is empowering women to protect both public health and local economies. By investing in women cross-border traders, you are supporting community resilience, strengthening regional cooperation, and helping ensure that vital trade continues safely throughout the Ebola response.

Dear Donor,

Fishing communities along the Uganda–Democratic Republic of Congo border are among the most mobile populations in the region. Fishermen, fish traders, transporters, and their families regularly travel between landing sites and border markets, creating important economic opportunities while increasing the need for strong public health interventions. Thanks to your generous support, Development Alert is expanding Ebola prevention services to these communities to help protect lives and livelihoods.

Our outreach teams are conducting awareness sessions at landing sites, fish markets, and lakeshore communities where large numbers of people gather each day. Community health volunteers are educating fishermen and traders about Ebola symptoms, proper hand hygiene, early reporting of suspected illness, and the importance of cooperating with public health authorities.

Handwashing facilities are being promoted at key gathering points, while local leaders are encouraging safe hygiene practices before fish handling, transportation, and trading activities. Information materials translated into local languages are helping ensure prevention messages are understood by diverse communities living along the border.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Fishing community leaders have embraced their role in protecting public health by encouraging participation in awareness activities and supporting surveillance efforts within their communities.

Your partnership is helping ensure that essential economic activities continue alongside effective disease prevention. By supporting fishing communities with practical health education and preventive measures, you are strengthening resilience across one of the region's most important economic sectors while contributing to the broader effort to contain Ebola.