disaster
DR Congo: Women and girls face double threat in the Ebola outbreak; the response must address both | The IRC
By International Rescue Committee at ReliefWeb
· June 17, 2026
· 3 min read
Countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda . The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is warning that without protection measures in place now, the most vulnerable will pay the highest price and the response itself is likely to fail. Traditionally, women and girls are often the primary care
Key takeaway During the 2018–2019 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, women and girls accounted for nearly two-thirds of reported infections.
Why this matters
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo highlights the critical need for a response that addresses the unique vulnerabilities of women and girls. As primary caretakers, they are disproportionately exposed to the virus, with current data indicating they account for over 54 percent of cases. The consequences of neglecting their protection are severe, with potential long-term impacts on maternal and child mortality. The International Rescue Committee's warning that the response itself may fail without adequate protection measures underscores the urgency of integrating protection into the emergency response from the outset. This requires recognizing the intersecting risks faced by women and girls, including sexual violence, exploitation, and disrupted health services. By prioritizing their protection and safety, the response can build trust with affected communities, ensuring they engage with life-saving services and ultimately helping to contain the outbreak. Effective protection measures are crucial to preventing devastating outcomes.
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 17, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda . The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is warning that without protection measures in place now, the most vulnerable will pay the highest price and the response itself is likely to fail. Traditionally, women and girls are often the primary care
When was this published? This article was first published on June 17, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by International Rescue Committee 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 .