Uganda Red Cross Staff Evacuated After Attack in DR Congo

What the report says

Uganda Red Cross Society staff supporting the Ebola response in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have been evacuated to Uganda after their team came under attack in Aru, Ituri Province. According to URCS, one worker was critically injured and is now receiving further care after the incident, which also left one response vehicle destroyed and two others vandalised. The staff were involved in humanitarian operations linked to the Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease response.

The organisation said the affected personnel returned to Uganda on August 18 and are being assisted in Arua with medical treatment, psychosocial care and other welfare support. The critically injured staff member was later flown from Arua to Kampala by government helicopter for specialised treatment, following intervention from President Yoweri Museveni, the report said.

URCS said it has been working with the government and humanitarian partners to assess the security situation and strengthen protection measures for staff operating in high-risk areas. The society stressed that the attack would not halt its humanitarian work, but said aid workers and their equipment must be protected so they can carry out their duties safely. The development highlights the risks faced by medical and relief teams working in conflict-affected parts of eastern Congo, where insecurity can complicate disease-response efforts.