Des anciens rebelles s’engagent contre Ebola en République démocratique du Congo

Demobilised former combatants are actively joining the fight against Ebola by participating in public information campaigns in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

Dans le cadre d’une initiative novatrice alliant santé publique et consolidation de la paix, vingt-sept anciens combattants ont été déployés comme mobilisateurs communautaires de première ligne dans la localité de Tchomia, en province d’Ituri. Leur mission consiste à sensibiliser les habitants aux pratiques d’hygiène indispensables et aux comportements préventifs pour endiguer la progression de ce virus mortel.

Une urgence sanitaire grandissante

The Ebola outbreak is on track to become the deadliest epidemic in the history of the DR Congo.

The latest information states that the current outbreak has already killed 2,000 lives across the country. 

Caused by the Bundibugyo variant, for which there is not yet an approved vaccine, the outbreak is spreading quickly. 

Conflict, poor roads and the lack of access to healthcare are making it difficult to contain. It has recently reached a sixth province in the DR Congo, and it is threatening to spread to neighbouring South Sudan, according to media reports. 

D’insurgés à acteurs de la santé

The eastern DR Congo has suffered years of instability as rebel groups have continued to fight government forces, driving millions of people from their homes.

The UN peacekeeping mission in the DR Congo, MONUSCO, has supported the demobilisation of former rebels.

After receiving training on prevention measures and detection of suspect cases, the rebels-turned community mobilisers were sent to heavily frequented areas across Tchomia including the central market, the town centre, and the animal feed production site. 

They emphasised the importance of regular handwashing, shared information on how to identify symptoms and stressed the need to promptly report suspect cases to health authorities. 

“The idea here is to make these former combatants and community members active participants in the fight against Ebola,” said Florent Nzama, the coordinator of a local NGO network. 

For MONUSCO the project serves a dual purpose: Responding to a public health emergency and contributing to stabilisation efforts by strengthening community cohesion. 

“This action illustrates their involvement in community life after demobilization,” explained a MONUSCO representative.