The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is currently battling the largest and fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak in the country’s history. The UN says 3,973 cases have so far been confirmed, and more than 1800 people have died from the disease.
It is driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
As communities grapple with profound fear, economic devastation, and the lingering trauma of armed conflict, the humanitarian response is being further complicated by recent suspensions in international aid.
In a wide-ranging interview with Crux Now, Father Edouard Makimba Milambo, Executive Secretary of Caritas Congo, breaks down the severe realities on the ground and explains why traditional, strictly medical interventions are falling short.
“We cannot combat this fear with technical messages alone,” Milambo warns.
“We combat it through closeness, listening and dialogue,” he explains.
The prelate also discusses how the Catholic Church’s deep, pre-existing roots in local communities are uniquely positioning Caritas to rebuild shattered trust, navigate sensitive cultural burial practices, and keep hope alive in the face of a worsening epidemic.
Please find the transcript of Crux Now‘s interview with Fr. Edouard Makimba Milambo of Caritas Congo, below …
Crux Now: The United Nations has described this outbreak as the largest and fastest-spreading ever recorded, having killed over 1800 people with nearly 4000 cases recorded already. From the perspective of Caritas in eastern DRC, does this description reflect the reality on the ground?
Fr. Edouard Makimba Milambo: Yes, unfortunately this description matches what Caritas teams are observing alongside the relevant diocesan Caritas organizations.
Behind the figures lie families living in fear, villages whose daily lives have been turned upside down, and healthcare workers laboring under immense pressure.
The outbreak is spreading rapidly, with cases affecting several health zones, and local capacities are already stretched to the limit. In eastern DRC, population displacement, insecurity, mobility linked to mining activities and the fragility of the healthcare system are making it considerably more difficult to control the outbreak.
For Caritas Congo ASBL, this situation represents a health emergency, a social crisis and a major challenge for communities.
The impact is profound and is being felt in the daily lives of households. Families are living in fear of the disease, of losing a loved one or of prolonged isolation.
Markets are operating at a reduced pace, some small businesses are seeing their customer numbers decline, and day laborers may lose their main source of income. In the most vulnerable households, this loss of income quickly leads to food insecurity.
Health centers, already facing a shortage of staff, equipment and medicines, must step up infection prevention and control measures whilst continuing to provide essential care.
One of the most worrying consequences is that some people are delaying seeking care for fear of being identified as suspected cases.
Caritas has expressed its ‘full solidarity’ with the affected communities. Could you share a specific example or an account from a member of your team that illustrates what the affected families are currently going through?
One example that often comes up in our discussions with local teams in the affected dioceses is that of families struck by several bereavements within a few days, whilst at the same time having to cope with isolation, fear from their neighbors and uncertainty about the future.
We hear reports of parents who can no longer hold their children in their arms whilst they are in care or undergoing monitoring, of children who do not understand why a loved one is being taken away, and of families who must accept measures to ensure a dignified and safe burial even as they are going through immense grief.
These measures are not rejected because families refuse to protect the community; they are sometimes difficult to accept because they touch upon highly sensitive cultural, spiritual and family practices.
It is at times like these that our pastoral, social and community support takes on its full meaning: listening, explaining, supporting and helping families to feel that they are not alone.
Ebola response efforts in the DRC have often been met with deep mistrust from communities, sometimes even leading to violence against healthcare workers. Where does this mistrust stem from, and how is it manifesting itself in the context of this outbreak?
This mistrust stems from several factors: Past experiences in which communities felt they were not sufficiently involved in decision-making; the spread of rumors; trauma linked to armed conflict, poverty, and a lack of trust in certain institutions.
In the current context, this can manifest as a reluctance to report symptoms, to agree to contact tracing, or to adhere to preventive measures. This is why a purely medical response is not enough. Communication must be transparent, adapted to local languages and based on genuine dialogue with communities.
As a faith-based organization deeply rooted in local communities, how does Caritas manage to overcome these reservations? How can it convince terrified populations to trust medical interventions?
Before asking people to trust us, we must first take the time to listen to them.
When a community is faced with a dangerous disease, especially in a context marked by conflict, rumors and suffering, fear is a natural reaction. We cannot combat this fear with technical messages alone; we combat it through closeness, listening and dialogue.
Caritas’ strength lies in being present alongside communities long before crises arise. Through parishes, diocesan structures, community liaison points and faith-based health centers, we often share in people’s daily lives. The people we support already know us, and this relationship of trust facilitates communication during difficult times.
In practical terms, we take the time to listen to people’s concerns, answer questions in local languages and work with trusted individuals: priests, religious, community leaders, women leaders, young people and survivors.
When a message is conveyed by someone the community knows and respects, it is better understood and more readily accepted.
Our experience shows that communities are more likely to support medical interventions when they feel respected, listened to and involved in the response.
Trust is built when families understand that the measures proposed are intended to protect them, preserve their dignity and save lives. It is this human trust, built up over time, that is one of Caritas’s greatest assets.
There are serious concerns about the recent cuts and suspensions to USAID, which are feared to have weakened global health responses. In practical terms, how are these funding cuts currently affecting the fight against Ebola in the DRC?
Funding uncertainties or delays are hampering the response at several levels.
In an Ebola outbreak, the speed of response is essential. Contact tracing, community surveillance, the transport of samples, the availability of personal protective equipment and the training of healthcare staff all require resources that can be mobilized quickly.
At this stage, Caritas is observing, above all, increasing pressure on local facilities, which must meet growing needs with limited resources.
We cannot say for certain that health centers have closed solely because of budget cuts.
However, it is clear that certain essential activities may be slowed down, delayed or come under severe pressure when funding is not made available in time.
This situation risks undermining the effectiveness of the response and further complicating efforts to protect the most vulnerable populations.
With traditional donors, such as the United States, scaling back their support, who is currently funding the response to the outbreak? Are other donors filling this gap, or is there a significant funding shortfall?
The response is coordinated by the Government of the DRC, with support from the WHO, the United Nations system, Africa CDC, as well as numerous technical, financial, humanitarian and faith-based partners.
Within the Caritas Internationalis network, organizations such as Caritas International Belgium, CRS, CAFOD, Caritas Germany, Secours Catholique-Caritas France, Caritas Spain, Caritas Italiana and Caritas Austria are providing valuable financial, technical, institutional and humanitarian support.
Despite this support, needs remain significant, particularly in terms of community mobilization, psychosocial support, local logistics, prevention and the sustainable strengthening of health facilities. Continued mobilization of resources remains essential to ensure an effective response
What specific actions is Caritas currently undertaking on the ground in eastern DRC to curb the spread of the virus and support the affected communities?
Caritas is primarily involved in community mobilization, raising awareness of preventive measures, disseminating reliable information, referring suspected cases to the relevant services, and supporting affected families.
In practical terms, this means reaching out to communities, engaging with local leaders, explaining the warning signs, encouraging handwashing, promoting acceptance of contact tracing, supporting bereaved families and helping to reduce the stigma faced by those affected or who have recovered.
Through its parish, diocesan and health networks, Caritas also helps to foster acceptance of medical interventions by demonstrating that the response is not imposed on communities, but built in partnership with them. We are working to ensure that communities are not merely recipients, but active participants in the response.
Our role is also to highlight related humanitarian needs: food, psychosocial support, child protection, support for displaced people and assistance for vulnerable health facilities.
Faced with a rapidly spreading epidemic, cuts to international aid and fear within communities, what gives you and your teams hope today?
Our main source of hope is the resilience of the communities.
Despite their fear, many people are willing to seek information, report suspected cases, protect their families and support their neighbours. We are also encouraged by the commitment of health workers, community liaisons, religious leaders and partners who continue to work under very difficult conditions.
The DRC’s experience in the fight against Ebola shows that an outbreak can be brought under control when the response is swift, coordinated and based on trust.
Our hope also stems from solidarity: that of families supporting one another, communities organising themselves, healthcare workers continuing to care for the sick, and partners stepping up to help.
For Caritas Congo Asbl, hope is rooted in solidarity, trust and the conviction that every life saved is the result of a collective effort.