Yesterday, Thursday, May 21, 2026, two tents deployed by ALIMA (The Alliance for International Medical Action) for the treatment of patients affected by Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) were set on fire at the Rwampara General Referral Hospital in Ituri Province.
Following the death of a patient showing symptoms consistent with EVD in one of these tents, and in accordance with the strict health protocols implemented in this outbreak context, health workers isolated the patient’s body. During the preparation process for a safe and dignified burial, tensions erupted, resulting in the burning of the two treatment tents.
In close coordination with health authorities and response partners, immediate measures were implemented to mitigate the impact of the incident, protect patients, ensure continuity of care, and support the teams involved in the Ebola response.
From the very beginning of the incident, patients receiving care in the two tents were secured and transferred to another area within the hospital, where they continue to receive treatment. Teams immediately mobilized to engage in dialogue with the community and reestablish patient care pathways. Since the incident, new suspected cases have been received and are currently being treated by ALIMA teams.
Despite the incident, teams were also able to secure the body of the deceased patient in preparation for a safe and dignified burial, in line with Ebola response standards.
Such incidents can occur during the early stages of large-scale outbreak responses, particularly in contexts marked by fear, uncertainty, and limited understanding of the disease within affected communities.
ALIMA warns against the spread of inaccurate or unverified information on social media and online platforms, which may fuel fear, misinformation, and mistrust toward healthcare systems and medical teams engaged in the Ebola response. In such a sensitive context, the circulation of verified information is essential to protect communities and ensure access to care.
Measures are currently being strengthened to improve community awareness and public information efforts regarding the outbreak, the severity of the disease, the importance of rapid access to care, and the need for close collaboration between communities, health authorities, and healthcare actors to ensure an effective and coordinated response.
ALIMA calls on the international community to increase its mobilization. All pillars of the Ebola response must be urgently reinforced to ensure more effective control of the outbreak. Current resources for outbreak containment — including detection, patient care, and prevention — remain largely insufficient.
Without support commensurate with the scale of the current emergency, there is a serious risk that the outbreak could spread further, with potentially devastating health and humanitarian consequences for already highly vulnerable populations.
Recognized for its expertise in epidemic response, particularly in combating Ebola Virus Disease, ALIMA remains fully mobilized alongside the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and all response partners.
