Americares Responds to Ebola Outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Stamford, Conn. – April 22, 2019 – Americares is delivering more than 4 tons of critical medicine and medical supplies to treat patients and protect health workers fighting the deadly Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Since August 2018, more than 1,300 cases and 870 deaths have been reported according to the Ministry of Health, making this the second-largest and second-deadliest Ebola outbreak on record. Political unrest and violence against health workers in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces have made it difficult to monitor the spread of the virus, resulting in a continued increase in cases.

“Thousands of lives are at stake,” said Americares Director of Emergency Response Brian Scheel. “Health workers offer the best hope for containing the spread of the disease, and this shipment will provide the tools they need to protect themselves and care for patients.”

Americares is working with longtime partner International Medical Corps to provide antibiotics, first aid supplies, hygiene products and protective equipment for health workers on the front lines of the crisis. The shipment is expected to arrive in North Kivu in May.

Americares has a long history of responding to Ebola outbreaks, including the devastating 2014 outbreak in West Africa, the 2012 outbreak in Sierra Leone and the 2011 outbreak in Somalia.

Americares has professional relief workers ready to respond to disasters at a moment’s notice and stocks emergency medicine and supplies in its warehouses in the U.S., Europe and India that can be delivered quickly in times of crisis. The organization responds to an average of 30 natural disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide each year, establishes long-term recovery projects and brings disaster preparedness programs to vulnerable communities. Since its founding 40 years ago, Americares has provided more than $17 billion in aid to 164 countries, including the United States.

Donations to Americares Worldwide Disaster Relief Fund will support its response to the crisis. To donate, go to americares.org/worldwide