The Next Edition
  • Home
  • About Us
  • News
  • Featured
  • Investigations
  • Foreign
  • Special Reports
  • Entertainment
  • Interviews
  • Advert Rate
No Result
View All Result
The Next Edition
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • News
  • Featured
  • Investigations
  • Foreign
  • Special Reports
  • Entertainment
  • Interviews
  • Advert Rate
Home Top News

Ebola outbreak spreads in DRC –WHO, UNHCR

Chinwe Maduagwu with Agency Report by Chinwe Maduagwu with Agency Report
August 25, 2018
in Top News
Three Ebola patients escape quarantine
0
SHARES
8
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Whatsapp

The office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has spread to eastern ‘no-go’ zone surrounded by rebels.

According to the spokesperson for UNHCR, Andrej  Mahecic, rebel violence in eastern DRC was escalating inside the country’s Ebola-hit North Kivu province, putting millions at risk.

You might also like

NDLEA Arrests Lagos Businessman, Wife, Daughters Over Family-Run Drug Network

Police Declare CSO, CoS Wanted For Attack On Rivers LG Administrator Police

‘Nine killed’ As Boko Haram Attacks Borno Community

“Thousands of civilians have fled their burned-out villages, bringing reports of brutal attacks,’’ he said in Geneva.

The latest report followed information that a case of Ebola infection and one suspected case have been found in one town in the area, Oicha, which is surrounded by armed groups.

Mahecic said UNHCR was particularly worried about the deteriorating situation in the Ebola-hit northern territory of Ben, where Oicha town is located.

The area is home to some 1.3 million people and spiralling conflict has left the population living there, virtually in a state of siege since October 2017.

It is estimated  that more than 100 armed groups are active in the province.

In spite of a large-scale military offensive of the Congolese Army against one of the main rebel groups, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) since January, there has been no let-up in the violence.

Mahecic said: “Despite security challenges, a UNHCR team accessed the area north of Beni, earlier this month, and conducted humanitarian assessments in Oicha and Eringeti districts.

“Residents told our staff about brutal attacks against the civilians carried out with machetes.”

Further, sexual and gender-based violence is rampant across the Beni territory while many children are being recruited as child soldiers.

The violence is particularly rampant in the so-called “triangle of death,” between the towns of Eringeti, Mbau and Kamango, on the Uganda-DRC border, as well as in the towns of Beni, Oicha and Mavivi.

UNHCR said it was scaling up its capacity in North Kivu to respond to the growing humanitarian needs.

“We are arranging additional emergency shelters and other humanitarian assistance to meet the needs of the displaced in Beni.

READ ALSO: Senator McCain stops brain cancer treatment

“While UNHCR’s humanitarian response is continuing, despite the outbreak of Ebola, the prevailing security situation and drastic funding shortfall severely hamper our efforts.

“UNHCR’s DRC 2018 appeal totalling $201 million is only 17 per cent funded,’’ Mahecic explained.

Meanwhile, Dr. Peter Salama, WHO Deputy Director-General of Emergency Preparedness and Response, said the discovery of Ebola infection in the hard-to-reach part of eastern DRC could mark a “pivotal” point in the response to the deadly disease.

“It really was the problem we were anticipating and the problem we were dreading.

“Our teams have responded this week. They’ve had to reach Oicha with armed escorts.

“Once they reach Oicha, they are able to move within Oicha town more freely, because the town itself is a yellow zone from a security perspective,’’ Salama explained.

The disease has killed more than 60 people and infected dozens more in recent weeks.

Tags: DRCEbolaNIGERIA NEWSoutbreakSpreadsTop newsUNHCRWho
Chinwe Maduagwu with Agency Report

Chinwe Maduagwu with Agency Report

Recommended For You

NDLEA Nabs Drug Trafficker, Recovers Three Cocaine Parcels

NDLEA Arrests Lagos Businessman, Wife, Daughters Over Family-Run Drug Network

  The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced it has taken into custody a businessman identified as Ajah Johnson Uchenna, his wife Rosemary Uchenna, and their...

FCT Police Take Custody Of Suspect Accused Of Taking Woman To Hotel For Ritual

Police Declare CSO, CoS Wanted For Attack On Rivers LG Administrator Police

  The Rivers State Police Command has declared the Chief of Staff (CoS), Aloni Olodi and Chief Security Officer (CSO), Hector Ekakita of Ahoada East Local Government Area,...

Cholera Cases

‘Nine killed’ As Boko Haram Attacks Borno Community

Nine people have been killed and four others injured in an attack by Boko Haram insurgents on Malam Fatori, a town in Abadam LGA of Borno state. The...

Kaduna Govt Charges ‘Fake’ Doctor Who Worked For 11 Years To Court

Medical Doctor, 2 Others Remanded For Alleged Child Theft In Anambra

  The Anambra State Children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Offences Court sitting in Awka has remanded a 72-year-old doctor and two women for allegedly stealing and selling a...

Next Post
Third Mainland Bridge reopened

Third Mainland Bridge: Tests of joints underway, commuters groan in gridlock




Related News

Certificate of Return: Okorocha Drags INEC to Court

Certificate of Return: Okorocha Drags INEC to Court

Court Remands Man, 29, For Alleged Kidnap, Rape, Armed Robbery

Court Remands Man For Allegedly Defiling 9-Year-Old Girl

Bishop TD Jakes Suffers Health Scare After Sermon

Bishop TD Jakes Suffers Health Scare After Sermon




The Next Edition

Office Address

3B, Agboola Aina street, Off Toyin Street,
Ikeja, Lagos.

Quick Contact Details

Phone:
08033018430
Whatsapp:
08051679910

Email:
[email protected]
[email protected]

Categories

  • Aviation
  • Beauty
  • Breaking News
  • Business
  • Columnists
  • Editorial
  • Entertainment
  • Fashion
  • Featured
  • Football
  • Foreign
  • Headline News
  • Home & Garden
  • Interviews
  • Investigations
  • North Central
  • North East
  • North West
  • Opinion
  • Parenting
  • Politics
  • Relationships
  • South East
  • South West
  • South-South
  • Special Reports
  • Sports
  • Top News
  • Vox Pops

© Next Edition Business Development Limited

  • About Us
  • Advert Rate
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • News
  • Featured
  • Investigations
  • Foreign
  • Special Reports
  • Entertainment
  • Interviews
  • Advert Rate

© Next Edition Business Development Limited