The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) sounded again the alarm on Tuesday, warning that the intensifying insecurity in Ituri Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC, DR Congo) is endangering displaced families and hindering humanitarian operations amidst an already dire humanitarian crisis and the ongoing Ebola outbreak.
According to local civil society organizations, fighting around the Rhoe displacement site in Djugu territory on Monday killed at least four civilians and forced others to flee. The site hosts more than 50,000 displaced people. A health facility was also burned, disrupting access to care for more than 5,000 people.
Since late September, at least five humanitarian organizations have relocated staff and temporarily suspended activities in Ituri due to insecurity, further limiting access to essential services.
OCHA warned that the deteriorating security situation could also hamper the Ebola response, including surveillance, contact tracing, and the referral of suspected cases, at a time when the outbreak continues to spread.
Ebola outbreak spreads ā children are particularly vulnerable
On Tuesday, national health authorities reported 9,066 Ebola cases and 4,381 deaths since the outbreak was declared in May. The actual toll is likely higher due to gaps in surveillance and case detection.
DRC is currently experiencing its largest recorded Ebola outbreak. The government declared the outbreak on May 15, and the Bundibugyo strain was confirmed as the cause. Currently, there is no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo strain, though candidate vaccines are being evaluated.
Compared with other Ebola strains, relatively little is known about the Bundibugyo virus. The disease typically begins with flu-like symptoms, including fever, which can make early identification difficult before the illness progresses to more severe symptoms.
Ituri remains the epicenter of the outbreak, accounting for approximately three-quarters of confirmed cases. Meanwhile, North Kivu and Haut-UƩlƩ continue to report sustained transmission. The outbreak has spread to seven provinces.
Children remain particularly vulnerable. While most cases are among adults, children under five have a fatality rate of more than 60 percent, compared with around 40 percent among adults, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Children also account for most deaths occurring outside treatment centers, including at home and in health facilities where Ebola is not identified.
Experts warn that if the current trajectory continues, this outbreak could surpass the 2014ā2016 West African epidemic, which killed more than 11,000 people, becoming the deadliest Ebola outbreak on record.
Overlapping crises are deepening humanitarian needs
The outbreak is unfolding against a bleak backdrop of widespread displacement, food insecurity, and malnutrition. This year, nearly 15 million people in the DRC need humanitarian assistance, while more than 6.1 million remain displaced. Over 26 million people face food insecurity, and more than 4 million children under five are affected by malnutrition.
Over half of the displaced populationā3.4 million peopleālive in areas affected by the Ebola outbreak, which complicates the delivery of assistance and the control of transmission. Meanwhile, frequent outbreaks of other diseases such as cholera, measles, and mpox are pushing vulnerable communities closer to collapse.
On Friday, Humanitarian Coordinator Damien Mama warned that the overlapping crises were deepening vulnerabilities and placing additional strain on humanitarian operations. He also highlighted the risks facing aid workers, noting that eight have been killed since the beginning of 2026.
The eastern provinces, particularly Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu, have endured decades of violence as non-state armed groups compete for control of the region's natural resources. Conflict and insecurity continue to undermine access to basic services and exacerbate the country's longstanding humanitarian emergency.
On Tuesday, the UN reiterated its call for all parties to protect civilians, respect international humanitarian law, and ensure safe, unhindered humanitarian access.
"Maintaining access is essential to delivering life-saving assistance and bringing the outbreak under control," said OCHA.