The Ebola virus continues to surge across eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly in North Kivu. Beyond medical interventions and the recent opening of a new Ebola Treatment Center in Butembo, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is working hand-in-hand with local leaders and communities in Butembo and Beni. The mission: rebuild trust, adapt care to local realities, and intensify public awareness to curb the outbreak.
Combating misinformation and rebuilding confidence in Ebola response
This marks the 17th Ebola outbreak in the DRC, unfolding against a backdrop of chronic insecurity that fuels distrust and misinformation. In Butembo and Beni, communities still reel from the trauma of the 2018–2020 epidemic. Grieving lost loved ones, limited access to transparent information, and restricted hospital visits shattered trust in the medical response.
The 2019 tensions escalated when a treatment center was partially burned, forcing MSF to temporarily halt operations. “People warned me not to take my husband to the health center, claiming doctors would make him sick,” shares Elise*, whose husband tested positive for Ebola.
In regions where humanitarian aid is scarce, the return of medical teams stirs old fears. “Rumors spread like wildfire,” notes Dr. Pablo Paluku Lwanzo, Health Zone Chief in Butembo. “Some deny Ebola’s existence or accuse us of poisoning.”
Distrust is compounded by memories of the infamous ‘Ebola business’ scandals, which involved financial exploitation and gender-based violence during past outbreaks. These dark precedents continue to endanger humanitarian workers on the ground.
Ebola spreads rapidly as communities hesitate to seek care
As of July 13, 2026, Butembo and Beni reported 122 and 31 confirmed cases, with 77 and 20 deaths, respectively. “These numbers likely underrepresent the true scale,” warns Hugo Soubrier, MSF epidemiologist in North Kivu. “Patients arrive at advanced stages, driving up mortality. Nearly half of the infected had contact with unidentified cases.”
A new isolation center offers hope for families
Denise’s sister was admitted to the new isolation unit in Butembo, opened by MSF in early July. Each day, Denise and her family can see her through a window. “It reassures me to see her,” she says. “The isolation strategy balances containment with family connection,” explains Delmas Kalemba, MSF Logistics Manager. The team repurposed a building from Butembo’s general referral hospital to create a 35-bed treatment center.
Putting communities at the forefront of the fight
To halt the virus’s spread—now detected in Tshopo and Haut-Uélé provinces—MSF is empowering locals. “They hold the lived experience of Ebola and deep knowledge of the terrain,” says Margot Grelet, MSF Project Manager in Butembo. “We provide medical expertise, supplies, and treatments.”
Teams regularly consult community and religious leaders to tailor interventions. The priority: encourage early symptom reporting to improve survival rates.
Community health workers bridge the gap in Beni
In Beni, 50 km from Butembo, MSF adopts the same participatory model. “We rely on local chiefs, opinion leaders, and civil society to spread prevention messages,” says Delphine Ferry, Health Promotion Manager. 150 trained community health workers address families’ questions about the Bundibugyo Ebola strain and treatment centers.
Bringing care closer to patients
This proximity-driven approach includes concrete steps. A 26-bed health facility is being built near Beni’s referral hospital, while MSF supports two local clinics with free primary care. Twelve observation rooms are operational in Kanzulinzuli and Malepe health areas, with eleven more under construction in Madrandele and Kasabinyole. These spaces safely isolate suspected cases while maintaining vital family contact.
*Names changed to protect privacy.
