Kinshasa, June 10th, 2026 (CPA).- The United Nations, through the Acting Humanitarian Coordinator in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has called for the decentralization of Ebola response mechanisms in areas affected by the outbreak, CPA learned on Wednesday in Kinshasa from his X account. “At the end of a three-day mission to the main Ebola-affected areas in Ituri Province, the Acting Humanitarian Coordinator in the DRC, Mr. Damien Mama, called for stronger national leadership, greater decentralization of the response and better consideration of the humanitarian realities facing affected populations,” the statement posted on his X account read. According to the source, the mission took him to Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu, at the heart of the outbreak that continues to mobilize health authorities, humanitarian partners and local communities. “During the field mission, the UN official met with administrative and health authorities, humanitarian actors and members of communities directly affected by the disease. At the end of the visit, he emphasized the importance of keeping the Congolese authorities at the center of the response,” the statement noted.
According to him, the fight against Ebola must remain under the leadership of national, provincial and local institutions, with coordinated support from technical and financial partners. “The response must continue to be led by national, provincial and local authorities, with the coordinated support of partners,” he insisted. He also acknowledged that encouraging progress has already been made in implementing the response but believes that bringing decision-making closer to realities on the ground will help accelerate further achievements. This new Ebola outbreak comes at a particularly complex time in Ituri Province, which continues to face a prolonged humanitarian crisis marked by the presence of armed groups, massive population displacement and limited access to certain territories. According to humanitarian estimates, more than 980,000 internally displaced persons are currently living in the province, while the health system remains under significant pressure. In view of this situation, the UN official stressed the need for an integrated approach. For him, the Ebola response should not be limited to treatment centers and medical interventions. It must also include community engagement, contact tracing, risk communication and efforts to combat rumors that could undermine epidemic control measures. “An effective Ebola response is won as much in treatment centers as through the trust of communities,” he affirmed.