Thursday, May 28, 2026. For immediate release:
IsraAID, Israel’s leading non-governmental humanitarian aid agency, is mobilizing emergency support as a growing regional Ebola outbreak spreads in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda. As of Thursday, May 28th 1,198 suspected or confirmed cases and over 250 suspected or confirmed deaths have been identified in the DRC; seven cases and one death have been confirmed in Uganda. The rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus responsible for the current outbreak has no approved vaccine and limited treatment options. On 17 May, the World Health Organization declared a public health emergency of international concern, and on 22 May raised the risk level in the DRC to “very high”.
IsraAID’s Uganda mission, which works with Congolese refugees at Nyakabande Transit Centre and Nakivale Refugee Settlement near the country’s southwestern border, will strengthen community prevention measures through personal protective equipment, hygiene supplies, and health information. IsraAID Uganda is working in close coordination with the Ugandan authorities and actively participating in all relevant coordination mechanisms. IsraAID’s ongoing programming in Nyakabande and Nakivale includes Child Friendly Spaces, psychosocial support, and nutrition screenings for displaced children and families. In the DRC, IsraAID is assessing needs together with in-country partners, with the aim of getting lifesaving supplies into the affected areas to stop the spread of disease. IsraAID’s response in Uganda and the DRC will adapt to shifting needs on the ground in the coming days and weeks.
In 2014, IsraAID responded to the West African Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone and Liberia, the largest ever outbreak of the disease. IsraAID’s team focused on supporting first responders and frontline workers, including burial teams, strengthening community protection and mental health support, and reintegrating Ebola survivors into society and building their resilience.
Delphine Mugisha, IsraAID Uganda’s Country Director, said:
“At IsraAID Uganda, we are closely monitoring the Ebola situation. We work with refugees from the DRC in two locations, Nyakabande Transit Center near the border – where refugees first arrive into Uganda – and Nakivale Settlement, the largest refugee settlement in Uganda. With the ongoing influx of people fleeing conflict in the DRC, Nyakabande is already more than double its capacity. Our team there run Child Friendly Spaces, screen refugees for malnutrition, and promote safe hygiene and sanitation, and the risk is high both for the refugees we work with and our staff members themselves. Right now, we are focusing on addressing urgent shortages for health and hygiene items together with our partners and in coordination with the Ugandan authorities, to boost preparation and prevention measures and keep our team and communities safe.”
Tali Groshaus, IsraAID’s Emergency and Operations Director, said:
“This outbreak is deeply concerning and we must all work together to halt the spread of Ebola and support affected communities. Protecting our team members and the communities we serve in Uganda is our immediate priority and we are focusing on prevention methods to keep them safe. In the DRC, we are engaging with partners as part of the humanitarian community’s efforts to bring lifesaving aid and stop the spread of disease. We will provide immediate support to local NGOs, civil society actors, and frontline community workers in the affected area. In a crisis like this, we know that needs can change quickly; we are committed to adapting our response plan based on shifting needs in affected communities, together with international and national partners.”
Donations to support this response can be made to IsraAID’s Emergency Fund.
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Further information is available on request.
CONTACT:
Talia Cohen, Senior Communications Officer
Email: [email protected]