Post by UNICEF

The challenges facing children in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo were already immense long before Ebola arrived. Decades of conflict have displaced families, strained health systems and left many communities without reliable access to basic healthcare. In Ituri Province, more than half of children under five are chronically malnourished, and many have never received their first routine vaccines. These are some of the most vulnerable children in the world and now, they face another threat. As of 11 June, 676 confirmed Ebola cases and 136 confirmed deaths have been reported in DR Congo. While most cases have so far been among adults, previous outbreaks have shown that children can quickly become among the most affected. The youngest children have faced the highest fatality rates and many were left orphaned or separated from caregivers when outbreaks spread through families. The outbreak has also crossed into Uganda, where 19 confirmed cases and two deaths have been reported. Uganda remains at risk, particularly along the border between the two countries. “We may see more children affected in the days ahead,” warns UNICEF’s Dr. Douglas Noble. DR Congo and Uganda have contained Ebola before, and with the support of the international community, they can do it again. Learn from Dr. Noble about UNICEF’s response: https://lnkd.in/eKD9a2HZ