We have a number of partners working in this region and wanted to share an update from them.

HEAL Africa (Dem. Rep. of Congo)

HEAL Africa is a Christian, Congolese-led hospital and humanitarian ministry in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. It provides clinical care and community support to vulnerable families and is now under significant pressure following the arrival of Ebola in the city.

There is no approved vaccine or targeted treatment for this strain, and so rapid isolation, infection prevention, staff protection, and community awareness are essential.

According to HEAL Africa, a woman transferred to the hospital from another facility in Goma was later confirmed as Ebola-positive after travelling from Bunia and participating in funeral-related activities in the city. She is believed to have had contact with more than 200 people. The case has already affected hospital operations: ten staff members who encountered her were sent home for monitored isolation, while others were reassigned to provide round-the-clock care in the isolation ward, reducing the hospital’s wider service capacity.

This emergency is unfolding amid severe disruption caused by ongoing conflict in and around Goma, including restricted banking, a non-functioning airport, and limited access to supplies. In this fragile environment, HEAL Africa’s role is especially important. As a trusted referral hospital and Christian ministry serving people affected by conflict, poverty, trauma, and displacement, it is well placed to provide dignified care, promote early help-seeking, and support public health measures.

New Hope Clinic (Dem. Rep. of Congo)

The team are currently well and coping - they have instituted the PPE and procedural standards required by the World Health Organisation and local government.

The clinic is based very close to the epicentre of where the virus is most prevalent so please pray for God's protection over staff and that the virus will be contained and treated effectively.

Kiwoko Hospital (Uganda)

Soon after the outbreak, staff were given training reminding them to be on the look out, how to use PPEs etc. There have been a number of alerts - and a number of other haemorrhagic fevers have been picked up locally from the testing.

People here have experienced Ebola outbreaks before, including in the hospital's locality - and there was a high mortality rate. So people are fearful, but this doesn't necessarily translate into wise choices.

The government has put restrictions in place, particularly in terms of the districts bordering DRC (no markets etc), has closed the border with DRC for all but cargo etc. They also put restrictions on certain gatherings in Kampala and some of the areas around it, to prevent large crowds gathering.

Accomplish Children's Trust (Uganda)
Could I ask for prayers about the Ebola outbreak in the DRC which has spread into Uganda? Several of our projects are in western Uganda and therefore close to the DRC. Many of our epilepsy patients attending our rural clinics come from the DRC.