Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda threatens children’s lives
A deadly Ebola outbreak is unfolding across the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, where the World Health Organization has declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. As of 2 June 2026, more than 370 cases and over 70 deaths have been confirmed in the DRC and Uganda – highlighting the virus’s extremely high mortality rate. Due to limited testing capacity and underreporting, the true scale of the outbreak is not yet clear.
Children are especially vulnerable, not only to the virus itself, which has no widely approved treatment for this strain, but to the wider impacts, including disrupted health care, loss of caregivers, stigma and increased protection risks. In eastern DRC, ongoing insecurity, population movement and limited access are increasing the risk of further spread, making rapid response critical to prevent more lives from being lost.
UNICEF is deploying a rapid response, having mobilised nearly 150 tonnes of essential supplies – including soap, water purification tables and personal protective equipment – and working alongside partners to contain the outbreak. But urgent support is needed to scale up efforts and reach children and their families before the situation worsens.
Millions of children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are enduring one of the most complex and forgotten crises in the world.
Naturally beautiful and diverse, the DRC in Central Africa is home to over 100 million people, of which 54 per cent are under 18 years old. For centuries, the region now known as the DRC has long been scarred by violence, conflict and colonial rule, with children paying the heaviest price.
Despite its vast natural resources, the DRC remains one of the poorest countries in the world. After nearly a century of colonial exploitation and brutal rule, the DRC has endured civil wars, political instability, corruption, and a severe lack of infrastructure. Plus, natural disasters have been wreaking havoc on families, exacerbating an already precarious situation.
Alongside our partners, UNICEF continues to support children and their families in the DRC and neighbouring countries, providing lifesaving services and supplies.
Located in Central Africa, the DRC borders nine countries
The Ebola outbreak explained
A deadly Ebola outbreak is unfolding in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, putting children and families at serious risk. Hundreds of cases have already been reported in the DRC, and people are dying, with the number of cases continuing to rise as the virus spreads.
Learn more with our child-friendly explainer.
DRC’s many challenges
Tragically, millions of children in the DRC have never known peace. Ongoing violence and civil wars have displaced nearly 10 million people, forcing many into precarious living situations. Families are being devastated by separation, abductions, child recruitment, killings, maiming, and sexual violence. Due to this and extreme poverty and displacement, more than 3.9 million children are in need of emergency education.
If all of this weren’t enough, natural disasters such as extreme flash flooding and landslides have a devastating impact on families and their living conditions. Combined with a lack of access to clean water, nutritious food, and essential healthcare, children are being heavily impacted by recurring epidemics such as cholera and mpox, while 9 million children are suffering from malnutrition.
11.7 m
children are in need of humanitarian assistance.
10 m
nearly 10 million people have been displaced due to violent attacks and atrocities, mine expansions, and extreme poverty.
3.9 m
children in need of emergency education.
How is UNICEF helping?
UNICEF has been in the DRC since 1963, working alongside our partners to provide millions of children and their families with access to education, safe drinking water, and lifesaving healthcare and nutrition, including vaccines against preventable, life-threatening diseases.
We create child-friendly places for those affected by conflict, including children released from armed groups, survivors of sexual violence, and unaccompanied children. Through our child protection services, psychosocial support, and family reunification efforts, we help these deeply traumatised children heal and rebuild their lives.
The need is immense in the DRC, and we need your help to deliver for every child.
457,300 +
children and women accessed primary health care in UNICEF-supported facilities in 2025.
1 m
women and children accessed gender-based violence risk mitigation, prevention and response interventions in 2025.
Ebola Emergency Appeal
A deadly Ebola outbreak is unfolding across the DRC. Children face not only the risk of infection, but also the loss of parents, reduced access to healthcare, and growing threats to their safety and wellbeing.
