How is the Ebola outbreak affecting children and families
Children and families in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo are once again facing the deadly threat of Ebola, with a new outbreak spreading in already fragile communities affected by conflict, displacement and weakened health systems.
Health authorities have already reported more than 1011 Ebola cases , including more than 223 deaths, with case numbers rising rapidly. At least seven children have reportedly already died. Seven cases have also been confirmed across the border, in Uganda.
Greg Ramm, Save the Children’s Country Director in the DRC, said:
“We are in a game of catch-up. We need the equipment, we need teams on the ground, and we need people to do what they can to keep people safe”
We must urgently scale up. Time is critical. Every delay increases the risk of further spread, more deaths, and greater long-term impact on children.
Donate now to our Children’s Emergency Fund, to help stop this outbreak, protect children, and save lives - before it spreads further
Your $100 coulD provide 50 kg of chlorine to disinfect health facilities, schools, water points, and other high-risk areas
HOW IS SAVE THE CHILDREN RESPONDING TO THE EBOLA OUTBREAK IN DRC?
Our teams are on the ground and launching an emergency response in Ituri. The response will prioritise strengthening health facilities and infection prevention measures, while protecting children from the wider impacts of the outbreak. We will also support safe education and help children continue learning. wherever schools remain open.
Without urgent funding, frontline teams will not be able to scale up the support needed to stop transmission, protect children and health workers, and reach affected communities with lifesaving information and care.
With support from donors like you, Save the Children is working alongside health authorities and local partner NGOs in the DRC, rapidly mobilising to protect children and families by:
- Supporting safe and functioning health facilities with PPE, infection control, and training up staff
- Providing lifesaving information and hygiene kits to communities to stop transmission
- Protecting children through child protection services, psychosocial support, and family tracing
- Keeping children safe and learning through safe schools or alternative education and training up teachers on prevention and reporting
We are also in Uganda, working across high-risk areas to:
- Keep lifesaving health services—especially for mothers and children—open and accessible
- Share trusted information, strengthen support systems, and prevent further spread, working hand-in-hand with communities
- Deliver vital awareness campaigns, together with government, UN agencies and partners
- Ensure that schools and communities are safe for children and their families, and that they can continue to access essential services
CHILDREN AMONG THE MOST VULNERABLE – WE NEED TO ACT NOW
Children are among the most vulnerable during Ebola outbreaks. Young children are especially at risk through close contact with sick family members and caregivers, and those infected can deteriorate rapidly without early detection and supportive care.
At the same time, disruptions to routine healthcare, immunisation, nutrition services and treatment for common childhood illnesses could put even more children at risk. Children may also be separated from caregivers during isolation, hospitalisation or after the death of family members, while fear, stigma and distress can have serious psychosocial impacts on children and families.
Women and girls also face increased exposure as they are often the primary caregivers for sick family members. Pregnant and breastfeeding women require specific support, while infants face additional risks if breastfeeding is disrupted.
Urgent funding is critical to help frontline teams scale up the response and reach children before it is too late.
Please donate now to help children and families affected by the crisis.
What you need to know about the Ebola outbreak
What is happening in the Ebola virus outbreak in eastern DRC?
A new Ebola outbreak has been confirmed in Ituri Province in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where children and families are already living through conflict, displacement and weakened health systems.
The outbreak is spreading rapidly and was detected only after transmission had already started in communities and health facilities, making the response more challenging. Health experts say there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment for this Ebola strain.
How does Ebola spread?
Ebola spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids from an infected person, and indirect through contaminated materials, or infected surfaces. It can also spread during care of sick patients or through unsafe burial practices. This is why community awareness, safe healthcare practices, and protective equipment for health workers are so important.
Why is the Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC particularly concerning?
Eastern DRC is already facing one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with ongoing conflict, displacement and weakened public services.
Health centres are operating under immense pressure, while insecurity and poor infrastructure make it harder for health workers to reach affected communities quickly and stop transmission.
Communities urgently need trusted information about how Ebola spreads and how to protect themselves.
What support is urgently needed during the Ebola outbreak?
Urgent funding is needed to help stop transmission and protect children and families.
Health facilities urgently need protective equipment, chlorine for disinfection, screening systems, isolation capacity and infection prevention support. Health workers also need training and supplies to safely identify and manage suspected cases.
Communities need clear and trusted information to help reduce fear, misinformation and further spread of the virus.
What is Save the Children doing to respond to the Ebola outbreak?
Save the Children is launching an emergency response in Ituri aligned with the Government of DRC’s response plan.
Our teams are supporting health facilities with protective equipment, triage and isolation areas, water and sanitation support, decontamination, safe sample transport and training for health workers.
Protecting children is at the centre of the response. This includes psychosocial support, child protection, support for children who have lost caregivers, and helping children continue learning safely if schools close or movement becomes restricted.
Why donate to the Children's Emergency Fund?
Our Children's Emergency Fund is a central pot of funding for emergencies. It gives us the flexibility to respond quickly and wherever the need is greatest.
With every year that goes by, crises become more frequent, last longer and affect more people. There are now twice as many natural disasters as there were 20 years ago.
The needs are huge, but so is our determination to reach every last child in crisis. We have the experience to limit the effects of disasters on children's lives – and our Children's Emergency Fund is the key to unlocking this expertise.
Thanks to your support, we've helped millions of children in their darkest hour. Watch the video to see how your donation can save the lives of children in crisis.
Please give to our Child Emergency Fund today. Your donation will allow our response teams to protect children better, faster and for longer.
