Mirian Gom 
KINSHASA, DR Congo – The Ebola response attacks in the Democratic Republic of Congo have intensified concerns over efforts to contain the country’s worst Ebola outbreak after the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement revealed that six humanitarian workers were injured in separate attacks within a week.
The humanitarian organisation warned on Monday that repeated violence against volunteers, ambulances and emergency response teams is undermining operations aimed at controlling the rapidly spreading outbreak, which has already claimed more than 2,500 lives.
According to a joint statement issued by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Red Cross societies of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, the attacks occurred in Ituri, Haut-Uele and North Kivu provinces between August 17 and August 20.
The statement said a Ugandan Red Cross convoy supporting Ebola response operations came under attack in Ituri Province on August 17, leaving one volunteer seriously injured while two ambulances were vandalised after being pelted with stones.
The following day, two volunteers were injured while conducting a safe and dignified burial in Haut-Uele Province. During the evacuation of the injured workers, two emergency vehicles were also damaged.
On August 19, three additional volunteers were attacked and injured in Beni, North Kivu Province, where equipment used in Ebola response operations was destroyed.
“Attacks against volunteers and humanitarian personnel are unacceptable,” the organisation said.
“Respect for humanitarian personnel and humanitarian activities is essential to ensuring that communities affected by epidemics and other crises continue to receive the assistance and services they urgently need.”
The organisation disclosed that 12 volunteers have now been injured while ambulances and response equipment have been damaged in 11 violent incidents since the outbreak was declared on May 15.
About the Author
Oluwafunbi Bello 
Oluwatobi Adu 