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UN Ebola response coordinator says armed group attacks are holding back the Congo outbreak response

13 November 2026

Julien Harneis, the United Nations Senior Ebola Response Coordinator, said attacks by armed groups are the main obstacle to containing the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The outbreak was declared in May 2026 and is now the largest ever recorded in that country, with more than 11,000 confirmed cases and more than 5,000 deaths. Between 400 and 500 new cases are being identified every week, and the spread has been faster than in any earlier Congolese outbreak. Transmission has fallen sharply in former hotspots in Ituri province, among them Bunia, Mongbwalu, Rampara and Nizi. Elsewhere the response has been disrupted: an attack at Cantine-Aloya in North Kivu killed 66 civilians, and a nurse was killed in Tshopo province while answering an Ebola alert. Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, who heads the World Health Organization's Health Emergencies Programme, spoke alongside him, and the World Food Programme said hunger is deepening in the same provinces.

Confirmed cases: More than 11,000 Deaths: More than 5,000 New cases a week: About 400 to 500 Former hotspots where transmission fell: Bunia, Mongbwalu, Rampara and Nizi in Ituri

Why it matters for exams: Julien Harneis holds the office of UN Senior Ebola Response Coordinator, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu heads the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, and Ituri, North Kivu and Tshopo are provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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13 November 2026 Source: UN News

In plain words

WHO Health Emergencies Programme World Health Organization Health Emergencies Programme — The WHO arm that leads outbreak and emergency response, headed by Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu.