BUNIA, Democratic Republic of Congo — The Ebola virus is rapidly spreading among displaced populations living in overcrowded camps in Ituri Province, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. Since the outbreak was declared in May, more than 2,400 confirmed cases and nearly 1,000 deaths have been recorded nationwide, with experts warning that actual figures could be two to four times higher.

In camps like Kigonze, which shelters some 20,000 people, and Tsere, home to over 6,400 residents, conditions are severely unsanitary. Access to clean water is critically limited—at Tsere, a single water tank serves thousands, while latrines built last year remain unmaintained and overflowing. This hinders essential hygiene practices crucial for controlling Ebola transmission, such as frequent handwashing.

Local leaders and residents report a sharp increase in mortality. Kigonze’s camp president, Etienne Dz’Djo Ndrutsi, noted that from early April to late June, 55 people died—significantly above the camp’s usual average. At least four deaths there were confirmed to be caused by Ebola, though many families decline testing due to long-standing mistrust of authorities. In the past 24 hours alone, four deaths occurred in the camp, and residents have been compelled to handle burials themselves as morgue staff are overwhelmed.

The overcrowded camps, where displaced Congolese fled violence linked to ethnic militias and competition for resources such as land and minerals, are particularly vulnerable. According to United Nations data, conflict in Ituri since December has forced 361,000 to flee, bringing the province’s total displaced population to approximately 1.3 million. Ongoing insecurity continues to disrupt humanitarian and health interventions.

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted that over 80 percent of new Ebola cases in eastern Congo are not traced through known contacts, signaling widespread community transmission, especially in areas with poor healthcare access like these camps. Compounding challenges include recent strikes by unpaid health workers and attacks on treatment centers.

The Ebola outbreak intersects with a broader humanitarian emergency marked by food insecurity and inadequate sanitation. Notably, reductions in international aid have impacted water and hygiene infrastructure, with funding for essential facilities such as toilets and hand-washing stations reported to have halved between 2024 and 2025. This financing gap has intensified conditions in the camps, hampering efforts to contain the virus.

Residents express profound frustration and fatigue. At Tsere, despite the proximity of a newly established Ebola treatment center operated by an aid organization, camp inhabitants say that tangible assistance remains limited. “They come, they do investigations, then they go away,” said 74-year-old resident Baudouin Unega. Economic opportunities like farm labor and firewood sales have diminished as local farmers abandon their lands due to the outbreak.

Health officials emphasize that addressing the current Ebola outbreak cannot be separated from tackling the overarching humanitarian crisis. Dr. Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, stressed that an effective response requires integrated health and humanitarian strategies to reach these vulnerable communities.

Despite the grim environment, life continues within the camps. Markets operate, children play, and cultural expressions persist, offering moments of respite amid the enduring challenges of displacement and disease.