Ebola Returns to DRC as Conflict Intensifies and Aid Declines

11 September 2025

On September 4, the World Health Organization confirmed a new Ebola outbreak in Kasai, Democratic Republic of Congo, which has already claimed 25 lives. This marks the 16th Ebola outbreak in the DRC, a country already facing one of the world’s most complex humanitarian crises. Nearly 7 million people are displaced by conflict, with 26 million in need of urgent assistance and fragile health infrastructure stretched to the brink. Mercy Corps has a strong presence in Kasai and is preparing an emergency response to this new Ebola outbreak. 

Mercy Corps DRC Country Director, Rose Tchwenko, says:

"This Ebola outbreak comes at a time when communities in the DRC are already stretched to their limits by conflict, displacement, and hunger. What is most urgently needed now is swift support to protect frontline health workers, provide tools communities need to prevent further transmission, and ensure coordination does not falter in such a remote and fragile setting.  

“During the last outbreak, we saw rapid action and strong community engagement, which were key to containing the spread. Community mobilization and trust are critical: when people feel ownership of prevention and response measures, they are more likely to adopt safe practices, seek care early, and collaborate with health authorities. But without immediate and sustained resources now, the risk of this outbreak spreading is very real." 

Cuts in international aid, including from the U.S. government and other major donors, are further compounding this crisis and limiting available resources.  

Mercy Corps Vice President of Global Policy and Advocacy, Kate Phillips-Barrasso, says:

“What we feared has now happened: the WHO has declared a new Ebola outbreak in the DRC just as the U.S. government and other major donors are implementing drastic foreign aid cuts. Viruses do not respect political decisions or borders. Disengaging in global leadership and slashing funding to countries like the DRC will have serious consequences.” 

 

Mercy Corps has been working in the DRC since 2007, supporting communities to overcome hardships and build resilience in the face of one of the world's most urgent and protracted humanitarian crises. During past Ebola outbreaks in DRC, Mercy Corps strengthened community trust and resilience by improving WASH services and infrastructure, supporting livelihoods, expanding access to accurate information, and ensuring community concerns shaped the response. In 2024, our work reached 3.8 million people across the country. 

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