Faith leaders "vital role" as Christian Aid launches appeal to prevent Ebola spreading

Photo by Gani Nurhakim on Unsplash

Source: Christian Aid

Christian Aid is launching an urgent appeal as a deadly Ebola outbreak spreads across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with faith leaders playing a critical role in preventing the disease snowballing out of control.

The international development agency's local partners are at the forefront of the response - not just with hygiene kits and sanitation but with critical prevention messages passed on through pastors and priests.

With hundreds of lives already lost, partners on the ground are distributing hygiene kits while mobilising pastors and priests to share critical prevention messages in churches, schools and marketplaces.

Christian Aid's experience in previous outbreaks is that communities are more likely to listen to messages delivered through faith leaders than official channels.

Salome Ntububa, Head of Global Humanitarian Response in DRC, said: "The only way to slow the spread is prevention - early action, clear information and communities working together to stop the chain of transmission.

"Churches are playing a vital role in this response. Rooted in their communities and trusted by those they serve, they are uniquely placed to communicate life-saving information, challenge misinformation, and offer practical and spiritual support at a time of great uncertainty.

"Ebola has deepened an already critical humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC. Ebola is not just a health emergency. It is a crisis layered onto conflict, displacement, and poverty - intensifying decades of humanitarian, social, and economic hardship."

Health workers say that global aid cuts to the DRC have reduced the ability of the country to track and contain disease outbreaks and respond effectively to treat patients.

Christian Aid is launching an appeal to raise funds for its partners to send volunteer community health workers into churches, schools, and markets to share accurate information on how to prevent the spread of Ebola, such as avoiding large funerals, and encouraging anyone with symptoms to seek medical care.

The current Ebola outbreak is centred in the DRC, particularly in Ituri province, and is spreading into North and South Kivu.

The Bundibugyo strain involved has no approved vaccine or treatment, increasing the urgency of preventative action.
The crisis is unfolding in one of the world's most complex humanitarian emergencies, with decades of conflict severely weakening health systems.

Cases have also been reported in Uganda, raising concerns the outbreak could become a wider regional emergency.

Donate to Christian Aid's Ebola Emergency Appeal: https://give.christianaid.org.uk/donate/CAM-012493?