ReliefWeb

HIGHLIGHTS

• The second Ebola outbreak of the year was declared on 01 August. As of 30 October, it has claimed 179 lives in North Kivu and Ituri provinces. Since the beginning of the outbreak, WFP has provided food assistance to 46,325 Ebola affected people and supported the overall response with critical logistics, aviation and information and communications technology.
  • WFP's operational scale-up in 6 conflict-affected provinces is on track. From January to September, WFP reached 3.7 million people, 68 percent of the 5.4 million targeted for food and nutrition assistance in 2018. WFP plans to reach an additional 1.7 million people by the end of the year.
  • The Government of DRC plans to close camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Tanganyika. WFP is preparing to assist the dislodged IDPs with food assistance and livelihood opportunities.

Situation Update

• Ebola: On 01 August, the Ministry of Health declared an Ebola outbreak in North Kivu, the tenth such outbreak in DRC. The virus subsequently spread to Ituri. As of 30 October, a total of 279 Ebola cases (of which 244 were confirmed), and 179 deaths (144 confirmed) were reported in seven health zones in North Kivu and two health zones in Ituri.
• North Kivu and Ituri continue to be affected by insecurity. In Ebola affected areas, militant activity along key transport routes and sporadic clashes with MONUSCO and government forces hamper the effectiveness of the humanitarian response against Ebola. The lack of basic infrastructure also inhibits the ability of aid workers to contain the outbreak. Heavy rains exacerbate poor road conditions and make transportation of goods and people unpredictable and difficult. Community resistance to “contact tracing”, vaccinations and medical care continue to restrict access to affected people and increase the risk of a further spread of Ebola.