Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the spread of Ebola in North Kivu and of the response to that outbreak by the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the World Health Organisation.

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the largest in the country’s history and the second largest on record. The Government of the DRC and the World Health Organisation (WHO) are together leading an effective response in an extremely challenging context with ongoing conflict. Despite some successes, the outbreak is not yet under control, and DFID teams continue to actively monitor and assess the situation.

UK Aid has played a crucial role in supporting the response since the outbreak was first announced in August 2018. This support has provided funding and expertise to the WHO for response activities in the DRC and for regional preparedness. Preventing the spread of the disease not only saves lives but also provides the stability necessary for economic growth and security.