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Ebola Outbreak Emergency: Health Worker Protective Wear
$ 50.00
Children’s lives are at risk as an Ebola outbreak spreads rapidly. Help send urgent supplies today.
Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda threatens children’s lives
A deadly Ebola outbreak is unfolding across the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, where the World Health Organization has declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Children face not only the risk of infection, but also the loss of parents, reduced access to healthcare, and growing threats to their safety and wellbeing. As of 16 May 2026, more than 246 cases and 80 suspected deaths have already been reported in the DRC, with additional cases confirmed in Uganda – highlighting the urgent need for a rapid response to contain the spread of the Bundibugyo ebolavirus strain.
In the DRC, where many families are already living through ongoing conflict and displacement, the outbreak is deepening existing challenges. Disruption to essential services, stigma and protection risks are leaving children increasingly exposed, while constrained access and population movement heighten the risk of further spread.
Your support is urgently needed to scale up efforts. Give today to help stop the spread and protect every child at risk.
What makes the 2026 Ebola outbreak so urgent?
With a high mortality rate and no widely approved vaccine or treatment, the current Bundibugyo virus outbreak in DRC and Uganda poses a severe threat to children and families. It is centred in Ituri Province of the DRC, a region already affected by insecurity, conflict and displacement. These conditions are making it harder to reach communities and increasing the risk of transmission, as people move between affected and neighbouring areas.
Ebola spreads through direct contact and can be fatal. For this strain, there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment, making prevention, early detection and rapid response critical to saving lives.
How is UNICEF responding?
UNICEF is on the ground, working alongside our partners to contain the spread and protect children. Nearly 50 tonnes of essential supplies have already been mobilised to affected areas, but as the virus continues to spread, urgent support is needed to reach every child at risk.
We are delivering lifesaving support, including:
Infection prevention supplies such as soap, disinfectants and hygiene materials
Personal protective equipment for frontline workers
Water purification tablets to help stop transmission
Community education to help families understand how to protect themselves
How will my donation help children impacted by the Ebola outbreak?
UNICEF has been in the DRC since 1963, working alongside our partners to provide lifesaving healthcare, water sanitation and hygiene to help fight against life-threatening diseases. Supplies are being delivered right now, but more are urgently needed.
How your donations can help:
- $27 could provide clean drinking water for 500 children for an entire month.
$50 can help protect health workers with personal protective equipment including gloves, masks and boots.
- $100 could provide 190 bars of soap, helping to prevent the spread of disease.
Donate today and help UNICEF contain the crisis so children can survive.