The Ebola Threat to Kimbilio

The current ebola outbreak in the DR Congo is a serious threat to the lives of so many people. It started in Ituri province, in the far north east of the DR Congo, and has spread to parts of Kivu Province and into Uganda. As of the start of June there have been 452 confirmed cases and 82 confirmed deaths. On Friday 5th June there were 71 confirmed cases in one day. This is the largest daily increase and highlights the capability of ebola to spread rapidly. Several factors add to the complexity of containing the outbreak: cross border movement of traders in the area; the ongoing conflict with various militia groups which makes it difficult for health teams to access patients needing treatment; poorly resourced and equipped health care systems; lack of trust of Western intervention; US and UK withdrawal and reduction of international aid; and the poor, crowded living conditions in internally displaced persons camps (IDP).

Child held by caregiver in Ebola treatment center in Beni, DRC. Photo Credit: The New Humanitarian

There is currently no known cure to ebola, and the mortality rate for the current strain of ebola is 30% to 50% even in circumstances of proper care. We are told that it could be at least nine months before vaccines are readily available and able to prevent the further spread of this devastating disease.

Kimbilio needs to be ready in the event of ebola spreading to our home base in Lubumbashi. Whilst Ituri is approximately 1000 miles from Lubumbashi, we are ensuring increased attention to hygienic practices to ensure we are able to best protect the children in our care and the communities around us. We are aware of the implications for our work with a potential increase of children on the streets should Ebola spread more rapidly, leading to higher death rates and children who have lost parents being made destitute and seeking support through organisations such as Kimbilio.

Please help. We have just launched a fund dedicated to PPE and health care provision to give us the capacity to be proactive should we face ebola at home. You can contribute to it here.