UNICEF’s first international shipment of emergency Ebola response supplies arrives in Ituri, northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

KINSHASA/DAKAR, 28 MAY 2026 – More than 100 metric tons of urgently needed and lifesaving humanitarian supplies have started to be airlifted and delivered by UNICEF to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as part of the overall emergency response to the escalating Ebola outbreak, with support from the European Union.

The emergency cargo – including personal protective equipment for frontline health workers, medicines, hygiene materials, and medical supplies – was airlifted from UNICEF’s global supply and logistics hub in Copenhagen via a specialized humanitarian air service supported by the European Commission’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), and is aimed at containing the spread of the virus in affected communities.

“We are in a race against time to contain this outbreak. The situation remains highly concerning and dynamic. These emergency supplies are critical to help protect frontline workers and support affected communities, including children,” said John Agbor, UNICEF Representative currently in Bunia, DRC.

The supplies are expected to support nearly 100,000 people, including children and families living in communities already facing a fragile humanitarian situation marked by population displacement, conflict, and limited access to basic social services.

Working alongside national authorities and humanitarian partners, UNICEF continues to accelerate key pillars of the response, particularly infection prevention and control, supply and logistics, risk communication and community engagement, water, sanitation and hygiene, as well as direct support for children and families affected by the outbreak.

“Risk communication and community engagement are central to controlling Ebola. Previous outbreaks have shown that building community trust and engagement is critical to the response. That means working closely with local communities, community leaders, faith-based groups, women’s associations, youth groups and frontline health workers to strengthen awareness, early detection and safe practices,” added Gilles Fagninou, UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa.

As of 26 May 2026, a total of 121 confirmed Ebola cases and 17 deaths among confirmed cases had been reported in the DRC. National authorities have also recorded a total of 1,077 suspected cases.

The rapid spread of the outbreak across provinces and multiple health zones in north-eastern DRC underscores the urgent need for sustained coordinated action to contain the virus and protect children, families and communities.

UNICEF has activated its highest level of emergency response, a Level 3 Corporate Emergency Activation Procedure and already allocated US$ 6.525 millions of its core resources to meet critical needs. More than ever, UNICEF needs flexible and timely funding to sustain the response and ensure that children and families continue to receive lifesaving support.

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Notes for editors:
Multimedia from the arrival of supplies in DRC available here: https://weshare.unicef.org/Folder/2AM4087ZH7IY

Content from the packing and loading in Copenhagen available here:

https://weshare.unicef.org/Folder/2AM4087DNKVP

For more information, please contact UNICEF UK Media team at [email protected] or 0208 375 6030.