disaster
DR Congo: Building trust is key to stopping the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the IFRC says | IFRC
By International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies at ReliefWeb
· June 18, 2026
· 3 min read
. As Red Cross volunteers work with health authorities to contain the outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola virus disease, community feedback reveals that fear, misinformation and mistrust remain major obstacles to saving lives. "There is no shortcut to ending an Ebola outbreak," said B
Key takeaway "There is no shortcut to ending an Ebola outbreak," said Bruno Michon, Operations Manager for the Ebola outbreak.
Why this matters
The ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo highlights the critical role of trust-building in disaster response efforts. As the IFRC works to contain the outbreak, community feedback reveals that fear, misinformation, and mistrust are major obstacles to saving lives. The fact that many people question the disease's existence or view the response with suspicion underscores the need for credible information and genuine engagement. By listening to communities and adapting their response accordingly, Red Cross volunteers are able to address concerns and provide trusted information, which is essential for increasing the effectiveness of public health measures. The use of Ebola survivors and trusted community leaders to share first-hand experiences and provide credible information is a key strategy in this effort, as it helps to demonstrate that seeking care early can significantly improve the chances of survival. This approach recognizes that communities are not just beneficiaries, but rather active participants in the response effort.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ReliefWeb . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: disaster ·
Published: June 18, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? . As Red Cross volunteers work with health authorities to contain the outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola virus disease, community feedback reveals that fear, misinformation and mistrust remain major obstacles to saving lives. "There is no shortcut to ending an Ebola outbreak," said B
When was this published? This article was first published on June 18, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more disaster coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .