D. R. Congo

+++ Current events: The Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing a new Ebola outbreak in a region already affected by conflict, displacement, and limited access to health services. The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a form of Ebola disease for which there is currently no licensed vaccine and no specific treatment. It was officially declared by the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on May 15, 2026. As of June 2, 2026, 321 cases and 48 deaths have been confirmed, with hundreds of additional suspected cases and deaths believed to be linked to Ebola. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda as a 'Public Health Emergency of International Concern'. Welthungerhilfe (WHH) has released €100,000 from its Emergency Fund to support immediate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) activities. WHH is also stepping up prevention, hygiene measures, and community awareness to help reduce the risk of further transmission. +++ The Democratic Republic of Congo is Africa's second-largest country by area and slightly more than six times larger than Germany. Due to its wealth of natural resources, the country could be one of the richest on the continent, but of its 105,6 million inhabitants, more than half live below the poverty line. Political instability, wars, violence and corruption characterize everyday life. Health crises such as serious outbreaks of Ebola, measles, cholera and the Covid-19 pandemic also make life difficult for the population. Welthungerhilfe's work focuses on sustainable agricultural and economic development, resilience building, food security, water, health, sanitation (WASH) and emergency aid.