Protect Uganda-DRC Border Communities from Ebola

Dear Donor,

The continuing Ebola outbreak demonstrates that public-health information must reach communities quickly and clearly. The latest WHO report records 7,258 confirmed cases and 3,510 deaths in the DRC as of 13 September, with the outbreak now affecting seven provinces.

Development Alert continues strengthening risk communication through trusted community networks.

During an outbreak, misinformation can create fear, stigma and dangerous delays in seeking care. A rumor that discourages someone from visiting a health facility can have consequences not only for that individual but also for family members and wider communities.

Our community engagement approach therefore focuses on practical, understandable information.

We work through local leaders, volunteers, teachers, women, youth, religious leaders and other trusted community representatives to encourage people to rely on verified health information.

We also encourage community members to ask questions. People may have legitimate concerns about isolation, treatment, contact tracing or movement restrictions. Creating space for those concerns allows misinformation to be addressed respectfully rather than allowing rumors to spread unchecked.

Another important objective is reducing stigma. People suspected of having Ebola, survivors, healthcare workers and families affected by the disease should not be treated as enemies or blamed for an outbreak.

Stigma can discourage people from reporting symptoms or cooperating with response teams.

Development Alert therefore combines health education with messages of compassion, dignity and solidarity.

WHO continues identifying community engagement as one of the core pillars of the response alongside surveillance, clinical care, laboratory testing, infection prevention and logistics.

Your support enables us to keep accurate information moving through communities—because informed people are better positioned to protect themselves, their families and their neighbors.