Two attacks in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have killed 4 workers responding to the Ebola outbreak and injured 5 others, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported.
According to the WHO report, the attacks occurred overnight on a shared living camp in Biakato Mines and an Ebola response coordination office in Mangina.
“We are heartbroken that people have died in the line of duty as they worked to save others,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, World Health Organization Director-General. “The world has lost brave professionals.”
“We are heartbroken that people have died in the line of duty as they worked to save others. The world has lost brave professionals”-@DrTedros https://t.co/7gFPWQTI5R #Ebola #DRC
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) November 28, 2019
“My heart goes out to the family and friends of the first responders killed in these attacks,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
“We are doing everything possible to bring the injured and front-line workers in the impacted areas to safety. These constant attacks must stop. We will continue to work with the DRC Government, partners and MONUSCO to ensure the security of our staff and other health workers,” she added.
A local militia known as Mai Mai has repeatedly attacked health facilities because they believe Ebola does not exist, and that the response is a plot to eliminate the local population.
