The current outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has developed into a crisis with international implications. It originated in the Ituri region, on the border with Uganda and South Sudan.
The World Health Organization is warning of the rapidly spreading, deadly epidemic. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is particularly affected. However, there are now also more than 100 confirmed infections and isolated deaths in Uganda.
Preventive measures are being implemented
In light of the dramatic situation, arche nova has prepared preventive measures in the project regions. Together with our long-standing local partner organization, the Katosi Women Development Trust (KWDT), preventive measures are being implemented in the region around Lake Victoria to contain the risk of further spread of the virus.
Since there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments for the rare Bundibugyo variant of the Ebola virus, preventive measures are of critical importance at this time. “We are informing the public about the symptoms of the disease and how to protect themselves from infection,” explains Anna Richter, Country Officer for East Africa at arche nova.
Focus on Fishing Communities on Lake Victoria
Specifically, Village Health Teams in our long-standing project area will conduct on-site awareness campaigns, accompanied by radio messages and supported by infographics. Our deployment plan with KWDT covers approximately 90 villages around Lake Victoria in the three districts of Mukono, Buvuma, and Kalangala. This allows us to reach vulnerable fishing communities as well as migrants from other parts of Uganda and neighboring countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Close economic ties and unregulated waterways across Lake Victoria make contact tracing difficult here. Added to this are cultural barriers that hinder the reporting of symptoms. Particularly tragic: in the face of an acute risk of infection, structural deficits such as a lack of infrastructure and low levels of education are now risk drivers.
All activities are closely coordinated with local health authorities and other stakeholders.
A Devastating Crisis – But Resources Are Scarce
The World Health Organization expects the situation to worsen further, as the Ebola epidemic is striking a region marked by violence, displacement, and hunger, and where there is virtually no functioning infrastructure.
“Ebola spreads particularly quickly in places where people have no access to clean water and hygiene measures,” emphasizes Anna Richter.
In this sense, our long-standing cooperation on the ground has always been a contribution to healthcare. This makes it all the more dramatic that financial resources for these vital projects are increasingly lacking. Even now, in this acute crisis, funding additional measures remains a challenge.
As an immediate measure, arche nova has allocated 7,500 euros from its own emergency relief fund. To protect even more people from infection, we are also urgently appealing for donations.
arche nova in Uganda
In partnership with the Katosi Women Development Trust, arche nova has been working in Uganda for more than ten years to improve living conditions in remote communities along Lake Victoria. The focus is on access to clean drinking water, the construction of sanitation facilities, and training in hygiene, waste management, and disaster preparedness. In addition, arche nova specifically supports local self-help groups for women to sustainably improve the communities’ resilience to poverty, disease, and the impacts of climate change. arche nova and its local partner organization have already contributed to infection control during the COVID-19 pandemic and can now draw on that experience.
