UNICEF sends 100 tonnes of aid to the DRC

More than 100 metric tonnes of urgently needed, lifesaving humanitarian supplies are being airlifted by UNICEF to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as part of the emergency response to the worsening Ebola outbreak, with support from the European Union.

The shipment includes personal protective equipment for frontline health workers, medicines, hygiene kits, and other critical medical supplies. The cargo was flown from UNICEF’s global supply and logistics hub in Copenhagen through a specialised humanitarian air service supported by the European Commission’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), helping strengthen efforts to contain the spread of the virus in affected communities.

The supplies are expected to benefit nearly 100,000 people, including children and families in communities already affected by displacement, conflict, and limited access to essential services.

In collaboration with national authorities and humanitarian partners, UNICEF is scaling up key response efforts, including infection prevention and control, supply chain and logistics support, risk communication and community engagement, water, sanitation and hygiene services, and assistance for children and families impacted by the outbreak.

As of 26 May 2026, the DRC had reported 121 confirmed Ebola cases and 17 deaths among confirmed patients, while national authorities were investigating a further 1,077 suspected cases.

The outbreak’s rapid spread across several provinces and health zones in northeastern DRC has heightened the need for a coordinated response to contain the virus and safeguard vulnerable communities, particularly children and families.

In response, UNICEF has activated its highest emergency response mechanism, the Level 3 Corporate Emergency Activation Procedure, and allocated $5.75 million from its core resources to address urgent needs. The agency has emphasized the need for additional flexible and timely funding to sustain response efforts and ensure the continued delivery of lifesaving assistance.

John Agbor, UNICEF Representative currently in Bunia, DRC, said, “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.”

“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,” Gilles Fagninou, UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa.