Democratic Republic of the Congo: Urgent Need to Protect Children Amid Ebola Outbreak

KINSHASA (May 27, 2026)—Children are among the most vulnerable group in the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). As well as being exposed to the direct risk of infection, children face major indirect consequences such as disruptions of essential health and nutrition services, loss of parents and caregivers, loss of access to schools, stigma, psychosocial distress, and increased protection risks, said Save the Children.

Children are particularly vulnerable if they lose one or both of their parents or primary caregivers to the illness, with Save the Children child protection staff already reporting at least two children who have lost their parents to Ebola and require urgent care support.

The latest government figures released on Wednesday show that children make up 25% of the 17 confirmed Ebola deaths—although the number of real cases is likely to be significantly higher as this number only includes children under 15, and only includes confirmed cases. Of these deaths, 14% are children under the age of 5.

Some 1,077 people are now suspected of contracting Ebola with 238 suspected deaths since the outbreak was declared on May 15 and children and youth under the age of 19 accounting for 17 out of 121 confirmed cases of Ebola, or 14%.

This number of suspected cases is already over one third of all confirmed cases reported in the largest Ebola epidemic in the DRC in recent history, in which there were 3,262 confirmed cases and 2,232 deaths. Of the cases, 28% were children.

While the outbreak was declared 11 days ago, the number of deaths and infections is feared to be much higher, with the probable first or index case most likely to have been in the first few months of the year, adding to concerns about prolonged undetected transmission in the community.

Ebola is a severe and often fatal disease spread through direct contact with bodily fluids or indirectly through contaminated materials or infected surfaces. Its symptoms include fever, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, and, in severe cases, bleeding.

The current Ebola outbreak is yet another crisis to hit the DRC, which has seen a sharp uptick in conflict this year, creating one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises. Nearly 15 million people need humanitarian assistance.

Dr Babou Rukengeza, Save the Children’s Ebola Response Lead in the DRC, said:

“This outbreak is moving at a terrifying speed. I have responded to several Ebola outbreaks over the years, but this is the fastest spread I have ever seen. Children are paying a devastating price.

“When parents die, children suddenly lose the biggest support system they could possibly have and face fear, grief, stigma, and social exclusion.

“In addition, this crisis is unfolding at a critical moment when children are preparing for their end-of-year exams, threatening not only their health but also their future.

“A rapid, well-funded, and coordinated response is essential to stop the spread of Ebola, maintain essential services, and ensure that children remain safe, protected, and able to continue learning throughout the outbreak.

“We need urgent action and immediate flexible funding to scale up the health response and strengthen infection prevention and control, while ensuring children and families can access protection, education and essential services to save lives and reduce the long-term impact on communities.”

Save the Children has provided chlorine to the health authorities in Bunia for facility decontamination and therapeutic milk to a center for malnourished children and breastfeeding mothers suspected of having the Ebola virus.

The aid agency is also racing to equip health facilities with personal protective equipment, triage units, and infection prevention and handwashing infrastructure while supporting active case detection and contact tracing in communities and health facilities. This includes training community health workers and teachers on virus detection and referral and providing emergency hygiene kits and thermometers.

Save the Children started working in DRC in 1994 and currently collaborates with 13 local partners, alongside international organizations and government authorities, to provide life-saving support in health, nutrition, education, child protection, food security, and water, sanitation, and hygiene for children and their families.