THE UNITED NATIONS WORLD FOOD

Published purpose

May 2018 - A new outbreak of the Ebola virus disease was declared in Equateur province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on May 8, 2018. Although it is too early to predict the trajectory of this outbreak, there are concerns regarding the containment and prevention of the virus as it has spread from three rural health zones to the provincial capital of Mbandaka, a large urban centre with national and international transportation routes, increasing the risk of it spreading further within the DRC and neighbouring countries. Based on lessons learned from the 2014 West Africa Ebola outbreak, an early response is required to help mitigate and contain the spread. With GAC’s support, the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) managed by the World Food Programme (WFP) is helping to reduce and control the spread of the Ebola virus in DRC by responding to the logistical needs of the humanitarian community. Project activities include: (1) supporting logistical systems; and (2) providing air support services to enable efficient and effective humanitarian response.