UNICEF Air-lifts Over 100 Tons of Emergency Supplies as Ebola Spreads in the DRC

[Kinshasa (DRC) / Dakar (Senegal), May 28, 2026]

As part of a comprehensive emergency response to the expanding Ebola outbreak, UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) has airlifted over 100 tons of life-saving humanitarian supplies to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and has begun distribution. The humanitarian situation in the affected areas is extremely unstable due to ongoing armed conflicts and large-scale population movements.

These emergency supplies include personal protective equipment for frontline health workers, medicines, hygiene supplies, and medical equipment. They were air-lifted from UNICEF's global supply and logistics hub in Copenhagen via a humanitarian air transport service supported by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO) and arrived in Ituri Province, northeastern DRC. These supplies aim to curb the transmission of the virus in the affected regions.

John Agbor, UNICEF Representative in the DRC, currently in Bunia, Ituri Province, stated, "We are in a race against time to contain this outbreak. The situation remains extremely concerning and is changing rapidly. These emergency supplies are critical for protecting those on the front lines and supporting affected communities and children."

These supplies are expected to support approximately 100,000 people, including children and families. Affected communities are in a highly unstable humanitarian situation, exacerbated by the effects of conflict, large-scale displacement, and the lack of basic social services such as health and education.

UNICEF is accelerating core response efforts in collaboration with government authorities and humanitarian partners, focusing on infection prevention and control, supply chain and logistics, risk communication and community engagement, provision of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services, and direct support to children and families affected by the outbreak.

Jill Fannin, UNICEF Representative for the West and Central Africa Regional Office, noted, "Risk communication and community engagement are essential for containing Ebola. Past outbreaks have shown that building trust with the community and securing their participation determines the success of the response. This means working closely with local residents, community leaders, faith-based groups, women's organizations, youth groups, and frontline health workers to promote correct understanding, early detection, and safe behavior."

As of May 26, 2026, a total of 121 confirmed cases of Ebola, including 17 deaths, have been reported in the DRC. Authorities have also recorded 1,077 suspected cases.

The rapid spread of the outbreak across multiple provinces and health zones in the northeast underscores the urgent need for sustained, coordinated action to contain the virus and protect children, families, and communities.

In response to this situation, UNICEF has activated a 'Level 3' emergency response, the highest level, mobilizing human resources, funds, and materials across the organization. It has already contributed 6.525 million USD from its unrestricted core budget to address urgent needs. UNICEF urgently requires more flexible and rapid funding to continue its response and ensure life-saving support reaches children and their families.