WFP Urges Food Aid in DR Congo Ebola Response as Outbreak Tops 5,500 Cases

3 articles · Updated · UN News · Sep 9

More international funding is needed to make food assistance part of eastern DR Congo’s Ebola response, the World Food Programme said, arguing hunger is undermining efforts to contain the outbreak.
5,500 cases and 2,642 deaths were recorded in the first 100 days after the May 15 declaration, and WFP said families that cannot feed themselves are less able to follow health protocols.
Ituri province, the epicentre, has more than 500,000 people in IPC Phase 4 hunger—one step short of famine mortality—while conflict, displacement and poor roads complicate deliveries to remote areas.
WFP said most Ebola patients never reach treatment centres, making both expanded medical access and food support critical; it ranked the DRC operation among its top global emergencies and appealed for support now.