Arabic version: تفشي الإيبولا يودي بحياة ثلاثة متطوعين من الصليب الأحمر
Three Red Cross volunteers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have died after contracting Ebola, marking a grim milestone in the ongoing outbreak. The volunteers, who were part of the DRC Red Cross in the northeastern Ituri province, reportedly contracted the virus while managing the bodies of Ebola victims on March 27, during a humanitarian mission that was not related to Ebola.
According to SBS News, the outbreak has been driven by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which lacks approved vaccines or specific treatments. The DRC Ministry of Health officially declared the outbreak on May 15, and since then, there have been 82 confirmed cases and seven confirmed deaths, with almost 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) confirmed the deaths of the volunteers, who were identified as Alikana Udumusi Augustin, Sezabo Katanabo, and Ajiko Chandiru Viviane. One volunteer died on May 5, while the other two succumbed on May 15 and 16, respectively. The IFRC expressed condolences, stating that these volunteers lost their lives while courageously serving their communities.
The IFRC has launched an emergency appeal for 29 million Swiss francs (approximately A$51.7 million) to support affected communities and bolster response efforts. Gabriela Arenas, the IFRC’s Africa regional operations coordinator, highlighted the importance of community trust in managing the outbreak, noting that reactions from the public have been mixed, with some seeking information while others remain skeptical about the disease’s existence.
The organization remains committed to strengthening its response efforts, emphasizing that the window for effective action is narrowing. What happens in the coming days will be critical in determining the outbreak’s trajectory and containment efforts.
