eastern DRC faces dual crisis of ebola and food shortages

Families in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are trapped in a worsening humanitarian crisis, where the threat of Ebola and relentless armed violence converge to deepen food insecurity. Aid agencies have resumed critical food and seed distributions, reaching over 80,000 people despite severe operational constraints. The question remains: how can assistance be delivered when communities are forced to navigate the impossible choice between disease and starvation?

How conflict and disease are tearing apart communities

For years, eastern DRC has been scarred by recurring conflicts and mass displacement, leaving communities in a state of perpetual vulnerability. The arrival of Ebola has compounded these challenges, pushing already fragile households to the brink. The crisis has eroded livelihoods, disrupted markets, and restricted access to essential services, making recovery increasingly difficult.

According to Abdoule-Karim Diomande, Head of Programs for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in DRC, the dual burden of Ebola and conflict has crippled the ability of families to adapt and rebuild.