UNICEF’s first international shipment of more than 100 tons of supplies was airlifted yesterday with support from the European Union and the World Health Organization. The supplies are intended to reach almost 100,000 people and include medicines, infection-control material, hygiene materials, and protective and operational equipment for healthcare workers on the front lines of the outbreak.The outbreak has caused neighboring Uganda to close its border with Congo except for emergency response teams and humanitarian operations. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control states that Uganda has already reported nine confirmed cases and one death, with three of these cases linked to travel from Congo. In Congo, the escalating outbreak has resulted in 906 suspected cases and 223 deaths.
UNICEF representative John Agbor said the situation “remains highly concerning,” and noted that the emergency supply shipment is a race against time. The outbreak has caused the U.N. to activate its highest level of emergency response, Level 3 Corporate Emergency Activation Procedure, and has already allocated $5.75 million toward containment efforts.
The situation has caused WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus to visit Congo’s capital of Kinshasa amid the expanding Ebola crisis.
