DRC Ebola and conflict

Story: “DRC Ebola and conflict” – Friday 13 November 2026

Speakers:

Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme
Julien Harneis, Special Ebola Coordinator, OCHA
Jean-Martin Bauer, WFP Director of Food Security and Nutrition Analysis (from Rome)

TRT: 04’00”
SOURCE: UNTV CH

RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
ASPECT RATIO: 16:9
DATELINE: Friday 13 November - GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
Geneva Press briefing

SHOTLIST

SOUNDBITE (English) Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme: “Six months ago, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) declared an outbreak of Ebola, caused by the Bundibugyo virus. Today, six months later, the disease continues to take a devastating toll on communities. More than 11,000 people have fallen ill, and more than 5,400 have died. Children account for more than one third of these deaths. Transmission continues with up to 500 cases reported every week.”

Medium and lateral shot of speakers and journalists in the press conference room.

SOUNDBITE (English) Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme: “But we do see encouraging signs. Most of the early epicenters of this outbreak have been successfully brought under control, including Mongbwalu, Nyankunde, Nizi, Rwampara and Butembo. Even Bunia, though it's still seeing significant transmission, there are fewer new cases and treatment centers that were bursting at their seams a few months ago now have much lower bed occupancy.”
Close shot: journalist listening inside the press conference room.

SOUNDBITE (English) Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme: “That progress is real, but it is fragile. And it is not enough. We must do even more. The biggest challenge the response faces right now is the rising insecurity. In six months, WHO has verified more than 80 attacks on healthcare. Violence restricts our access to people in need of help. It disrupts surveillance, it disrupts treatment, and forces people to move, disrupting their access to care.”
Medium lateral shot of camerapersons and journalists at the press conference room.

SOUNDBITE (English) Julien Harneis, Special Ebola Coordinator: “On the subject of violence: these last days, every day, there have been more people killed by ADF (Allied Democratic Forces) violence than there have by Ebola. And you don't hear about it. It's as if it didn't exist. The violence in tens of villages all across the south of Ituri and the north of Kivu goes unnoticed. And people are scared; people are furious at the lack of action on this. So, the issue of ADF violence, which has been going on for two decades, more than two decades, is vital to their concerns. It obviously negatively impacts Ebola, following up contact tracing in areas where ADF operating is a very hazardous idea.”

Close shot of journalist taking notes.
SOUNDBITE (English) Jean-Martin Bauer WFP Director of Food Security and Nutrition Analysis (from Rome): “Nearly 29 million people in the DRC are facing acute food insecurity. That number will rise to 30.3 million in the first half of 2027. Conflict is driving this in addition to disease. This is a compounding factor.”
B-roll from IOM Ebola surveillance – Mandatory credit on-screen: IOM
Shot on 10 November 2026 – various shots, people getting their temperatures checked at a point of entry and handwashing points where people sanitize before crossing the point of entry - North Kivu, DRC - Grande Barrière Point of Entry.