Congo-Kinshasa: 'Ebola Takes the People Children Depend On' - Unicef

What the report says

UNICEF says the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is leaving children without parents, caregivers and other relatives, while some children are also contracting the virus themselves. The update, reported by UN News and distributed by AllAfrica, was published on Tuesday and comes as Kenya confirmed its first Ebola case and death, which WHO said was likely linked to the DRC outbreak.

According to the report, more than 1,900 children have lost or been separated from one or both parents or caregivers since the outbreak was declared in May. Most of the affected children are in North Kivu, the epicentre of the crisis, with additional cases in nearby areas. UNICEF’s communications chief in the DRC, Halimatou Amadou, said fear and stigma can make it harder for children to get support when families are struck by the disease.

The article also says at least 2,017 children had been confirmed with Ebola in the DRC as of 29 September, and at least 1,062 had died. UNICEF said children account for just over a quarter of confirmed cases but about a third of deaths, with the situation more severe among children under five. The agency is supporting nurseries near Ebola treatment centres and is calling for similar facilities at every treatment site, along with continued basic health services for children.

The report highlights the wider humanitarian impact of Ebola, beyond the medical emergency itself. It also notes that early care, safe supervision and faster referral to treatment can improve outcomes for children who are exposed, separated from families, or already showing symptoms.