DRC in 'climate of uncertainty and fear' Ebola outbreak spreads

The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing a "climate of uncertainty and fear" as the Ebola outbreak becomes "deeply worrisome".

WHO has labelled the outbreak a global health emergency with more than 700 suspected cases of Ebola.

World Vision's DRC East Zone Director David Munkley told Morning Report people in the DRC were thinking of themselves and their families in a time of uncertainty and fear.

He said the outbreak had started in Ituri but cases were now being reported in cities much further away including Kampala and Goma and Bukavu.

"So that shows just how far this has spread. It's been shocking, just the number of people that have been infected, the number of people who have died in Ituri."

Munkley said while there was some capacity to deal with the disease due to past Ebola outbreaks, localised conflict in the DRC made it more complicated.

"Sometimes the battle line shifts so accessing affected populations is one thing.

"And then also these communities, they're in real terror so when they see people showing up with full hazmat suits and new medical centres, again there's a climate of distrust and uncertainty."

He said it was this fear and mistrust that resulted in recent health centres being burnt down.

"When people are losing their family members, there's also sadness and there's even rage."

He said the DRC was a "beautiful country" that was very community driven.

This made it difficult for locals, who are close knit and welcoming, to do things like social distancing.

"It's incredibly difficult to be honest. The psychological strain is immense, that's usually something that's forgotten."

Munkley said children where some of the most at risk populations as they don't often understand the need to be extra hygienic or cautious.

"We have to ensure that children are being supported. They're being, I would say, supported by teachers and health officials, really community leaders from around where they are."

He said the strain of Ebola in this outbreak had not been previously tested meaning it had already spread before people realised what the disease was.

"We're looking at more kind of regional spread and what this could mean for neighbouring countries such as South, Sudan, Uganda, possibly Rwanda and Burundi."

He added it was fortunate that there were no reported cases of Ebola in Kinshasa, a super city in the region.

"But now there is just the need to get personal protective equipment. There's the need to, you know, have sensitisation sessions. There's a need to care for those that are most, to track and trace.

"There's a long list of things. I hate to say it, it comes down to funding."

Munkley said this was a "moment of truth" for the global community to put resources together and limit the spread of the disease.

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