Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has warned that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is slipping out of control due to deepening public distrust of health workers and an overreliance on security forces to enforce containment measures.
The organization suspended operations at key treatment sites after two facilities were set ablaze by unidentified attackers last week, highlighting the volatile environment for responders. MSF International President Joanne Liu emphasized that the crisis cannot be resolved without restoring community confidence and adopting more humane approaches.
"The current atmosphere is toxic," Liu stated, citing over 30 attacks on Ebola response teams in the past month. She criticized the use of police and military personnel to enforce health protocols, calling it "unethical" and "counterproductive." The heavy security presence, she argued, has fueled suspicions that Ebola is being weaponized for political purposes.
Congo's Health Ministry denied allegations of security force involvement in outbreak response, stating that police and military roles are strictly limited to providing security. A ministry spokesperson acknowledged the need to protect health workers but condemned attacks on medical staff and interference with traditional burial practices.
Despite ongoing efforts, MSF reported alarming gaps in containment. Over 40% of deaths occurred outside medical facilities, and 35% of new cases were not linked to known transmission chains. Liu described the situation as "still under the virus's control," with communities witnessing stark contrasts between emergency interventions and inadequate resources.
Villagers have described chaotic scenes of rapid evacuations, excessive disinfection measures, and the destruction of personal belongings, further straining relations with responders. MSF has demanded improved security guarantees before resuming operations at damaged sites.
