Save the Children, Ebola response activities in Democratic Congo... Support for 100,000 children

Promoting the establishment of a care center for children exposed to Ebola

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Jeong A-ran = Save the Children, an international children's rights non-governmental organization (NGO), announced on the 28th that it had supported approximately 200,000 people, including more than 100,000 children, through Ebola response activities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Since last May, Save the Children has been working in Ituri Province to prevent and manage infections in medical facilities, improve community awareness, and connect medical institutions. It also provides essential services such as health, nutrition, education, and child protection.

In particular, we are pursuing the establishment of an observation and care center for children who have been exposed to Ebola but have difficulty staying safely with their families during the observation period. The first center, to be built in Bunia, Ituri Province, will provide children with accommodation as well as health monitoring, nutritional support, and learning and play activities.

This Ebola outbreak started in Ituri Province and has now spread to 8 provinces and 66 health districts. The crisis is deepening as infections spread in communities struggling with conflict, forced displacement, food insecurity and weak health systems.

“Children are not only at risk of infection, but are also losing their parents and caregivers, and are being excluded from medical care and education,” said Greg Lamb, head of Save the Children’s Democratic Republic of Congo office. “The international community must strengthen Ebola infection prevention and community response, and quickly provide support to ensure that child protection and essential services are not interrupted.”