(ANS – Goma) – The Ebola outbreak affecting the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to spread and has placed the entire country on high alert. According to the latest data from the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 750 suspected cases and over 170 deaths have already been recorded. Although no cases have been detected elsewhere in the country, aside from a few isolated incidents, the Salesians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have stepped up prevention measures to protect the thousands of vulnerable children and young people who attend their centers every day.

Concern over the spread of Ebola continues to grow daily. The WHO maintains an international alert for an outbreak that has already resulted in more than 750 suspected cases and over 170 deaths, figures that continue to rise because of health and security challenges in the eastern part of the country.

Most infections are concentrated in the Congolese province of Ituri, in the northeastern part of the country. However, there is also concern regarding North Kivu because of the constant movement of people and the commercial and social connections with affected areas.

In Goma, where the Salesian community is present, the city continues to be marked by violence, forced displacement, and extreme poverty, and the situation remains under health surveillance. For the time being, authorities have reported only a few isolated cases involving people from affected areas, with no widespread outbreak recorded in the city.

Nevertheless, fear and uncertainty remain very much present among the population.

“Thousands of families are surviving in very precarious conditions, and a health emergency such as this represents an additional threat to those who have already lost almost everything,” explained the Sons of Don Bosco working in Goma.

Furthermore, the epidemic is already having significant economic and social consequences. The borders with neighboring countries, Rwanda y Uganda, remain closed, severely affecting thousands of people who used to cross them every day for work, study, or supplies. The health threat has also disrupted trade and transportation routes to Uganda, which are vital for supplying food and essential goods to the eastern part of the country.

“The Most Important Thing Now Is to Keep People Well Informed and Avoid Panic”

In this context, the Salesians have stepped up preventive measures in their social and educational ministries. Every day, thousands of children, young people, and families pass through centers such as Don Bosco Ngangi, Bosco Lac, and the Goma Technical and Industrial Institute (ITIG) to receive education, food, support, and basic medical care. In addition, awareness initiatives are being carefully carried out to ensure that the population knows how to prevent infection and how to respond if symptoms appear.

“The most important thing now is to keep people well informed and avoid panic,” explained the Salesians in Goma.

In recent weeks, new handwashing stations have been installed, hygiene campaigns have been expanded, and children, young people, and their families have been made especially aware of basic preventive measures.

The Salesian presence extends far beyond Goma. The Salesians also work in other parts of the country, where they support vulnerable communities and operate educational, social, and healthcare projects.

In cities such as Lubumbashi, Kinshasa, Mbuji-Mayiy Tshikapa, they run schools, youth centers, and child-support programs. In more isolated and impoverished areas such as Kasenga, Mokambo, Sakaniay Kipushya, they carry out educational and social projects.

Furthermore, they are also present in Uvira, Bukavu, Nyakadakay Kalemie, in the eastern part of the country, one of the regions most affected by armed violence and mass displacement. There, in addition to education, the Salesians provide humanitarian aid, protection for displaced children, and support for families who have been living for years amid conflict and a constant succession of new emergencies.

The Salesians Stand by Those Most in Need

“The population is tired of constantly living with emergencies: war, displacement, hunger … and now the fear of Ebola,” explained Salesian Domingo de la Hera, who has been working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for decades.

The WHO has reiterated that the risk remains “very high” in the Democratic Republic of the Congo because of the fragility of the healthcare system, insecurity, and the constant movement of the population. Furthermore, there is still no approved vaccine specifically developed for the strain identified.

The Salesians continue once again to stand by those most in need. Amid the uncertainty, their centers continue to be a refuge and a source of hope for thousands of children and families trying to survive in one of the most challenging regions of the world.

Source: Misiones Salesianas