Tensions escalate at Ebola treatment center in Democratic Republic of Congos Ituri

Residents in DRC Torch Facility Over Burial Disputes

A group of young men in Rwampara, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), set fire to a treatment facility on Thursday after being prevented from taking the body of a local man. The incident occurred at a time when health workers are struggling to contain an Ebola outbreak in the area.

According to eyewitnesses, the group stormed the centre after authorities refused to release the body of a friend who was believed to have died from Ebola. The police attempted to intervene but were unsuccessful in calming the situation. Witnesses reported that people broke into the building and set fire to items inside, including what appeared to be the body of at least one suspected Ebola victim.

Aid workers fled the centre in vehicles as the incident unfolded. Authorities have stated that the episode reflects the difficult balance between public health measures and local customs, particularly around death and burial. The Congolese government and international health agencies insist that burials be conducted by specialised teams wearing protective gear due to the high infectiousness of Ebola bodies.

However, traditional funeral practices are considered high risk for transmission and have been denied to families who were not allowed to perform last rites for their loved ones. This has led to suspicion among some communities that health workers are not being transparent about what happens inside treatment centres.

The incident highlights the broader challenges facing Congolese authorities and international agencies as they try to contain a rare and deadly virus in a volatile region. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, citing violence, population displacement, and community mistrust as major obstacles to stopping the spread of the disease.

The situation remains under control, with aid workers resuming operations at the facility after calm was restored.

Source: Al Jazeera