Communities help drive progress against Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo-Léonard Djombo still remembers the first weeks of the Ebola disease outbreak in Ituri Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Today, he works with families as a community volunteer in Kigonze, a settlement for internally displaced people on the outskirts of Bunia, the capital of Ituri Province. From the earliest days of the outbreak, he engaged with residents to answer the many questions raised by the disease.

In this eastern province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus, declared on 15 May 2026, has mobilized health teams in a context already affected by population displacement, insecurity and access challenges. As of 11 July 2026, the outbreak had recorded 1926 confirmed cases and 702 cumulative deaths, according to the National Institute of Public Health.

"One day, we recorded seven deaths in the settlement for internally displaced people . The following day, there were another five deaths. This situation led families to accept that the bodies should be tested. When some results came back positive for Ebola, people began to accept that the disease was real," Djombo recalls.

To address concerns that emerged during the early days of the outbreak, the Ministry of Public Health, with support from partners, placed dialogue with communities at the centre of the response.

Hussein Twaibu, Adviser to the Minister of Health for Communication and National Chair of the Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) pillar, believes that discussions held in communities have gradually changed perceptions of the disease and the health response.

"Communities are increasingly requesting investigation teams, safe and dignified burials, care, personal protective equipment and information about treatment. They are now asking for faster and better-quality services," he says.

This change is the result of close engagement with local leaders, religious leaders, women's and youth associations, and community volunteers. These regular discussions help identify concerns, answer questions and adapt interventions to local realities.

Djombo is one of these frontline community actors. After receiving training on Ebola, he raises awareness among families in his area about the signs and symptoms of the disease, prevention measures and the importance of seeking health care quickly.

For Julienne Anoko, WHO risk communication and community engagement lead for the Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the progress observed in Ituri demonstrates the importance of involving communities in decisions made during an outbreak. "When communities contribute to decision-making, they become active partners in the response. Community engagement is central because it ensures that the response is relevant, accepted, effective and grounded in the needs and realities of affected populations," she says.

Health workers have also observed the impact of this community-centred approach. At the University Hospital Centre of Bunia, Dr Yves Tibamwenda has seen a gradual improvement in health-seeking behaviour.

Explaining the difference between patients who seek care early and those who arrive later, he says: "Patients who arrive early have a strong chance of survival because they have not yet developed complications. The sooner they come, the greater their chances of recovery."

For Tibamwenda, the progress achieved is closely linked to dialogue with communities and the involvement of local actors.
"Community engagement is fundamental in the fight against Ebola. Without the community, we can do nothing," he says.

The results of this approach are reflected in the scale of community mobilization conducted between 25 May and 24 June 2026. More than 2.5 million people were reached through community-based awareness activities in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. More than 2800 community leaders were engaged to communicate prevention messages to their communities.

In addition, a rapid community intervention brigade composed of 15 leaders managed 27 incidents of resistance related to suspected cases, community deaths or response activities.

Beyond the numbers, response teams have observed greater participation in several critical response activities, including contact tracing, sample collection, transfers to treatment centres and safe and dignified burials. Several situations involving reluctance or resistance were resolved through discussions with families and the intervention of local leaders.

Behind these achievements are the daily efforts of community volunteers who continue to answer questions, address concerns and support families when cases are reported.

In Kigonze, Djombo continues his awareness-raising visits with the conviction that every conversation can help protect a family. Having witnessed his community move from doubt to a better understanding of the disease, he continues to share a simple message: "Today, people understand the disease better. We have seen that when families act quickly, they are more likely to protect their loved ones. Seeing these changes in my community motivates me to continue this work every day."