Bunia, October 5th, 2026 (CPA).- On Sunday, the World Bank reaffirmed its support for the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ituri province in the response to the Ebola outbreak, following the arrival in Bunia of Ronald MUTASA, the World Bank’s Senior Health Manager for the Africa region. Upon arriving at Bunia National Airport, the capital of Ituri Province, Mr Mutasa proceeded to the governor’s office, where he held talks with the chief of staff to the military governor of Ituri. Following this meeting, he praised the provincial authorities’ efforts to coordinate the response, particularly the awareness-raising campaigns carried out amongst the population, in front of the press. “We would also like to sincerely commend the coordination provided by the governor’s office. We know that the governor has met with over 100 partners and has visited various community settings, including churches, schools and different platforms, in order to raise awareness amongst the population,” has said Ronald Mutasa. He noted that this visit to Ituri is of particular importance to the World Bank, which is working with the Congolese government, through the national response team, to support the various aspects of the response to the epidemic. “We are working with the national government, through the national response team, to support the government’s response in its various aspects, notably the health response, but also by supporting schools to ensure they can reopen safely,” he has explained. The World Bank official also gave an assurance that his institution intends to continue its support until the end of the outbreak. “Until the end of the outbreak, the World Bank will continue to stand alongside the people of Ituri and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, through the National Response Team,” he has stated.
Ronald Mutasa also pointed out that the World Bank’s involvement is not limited to the Ebola response, but is also part of a wider effort to strengthen the Congolese health system in the long term. “Our support goes beyond the Ebola response. We are continuing our investments to help the country build a robust public health system, in the hope that, in future, any threat of an outbreak can be detected quickly and dealt with effectively,” he has concluded.