NEW YORK (May 18, 2018) – Scaling up in response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, UNICEF, with the Government of DRC and partners, is mobilizing hundreds of community workers to raise awareness among children and families on how to protect themselves against the disease. The community workers will also play a crucial role in providing communities with information on the Ebola vaccination campaign, due to start next week.

The community workers, deployed to Bikoro and Mbandaka health zones, aim to help contain the spread of the outbreak through information campaigns, social mobilization and community engagement, including disseminating information through radio, religious institutions, markets, schools and youth associations.

“It is crucial that communities understand how to protect themselves at home and in public places, especially in health facilities and schools,” said Dr. Gianfranco Rotigliano, UNICEF Representative in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “Experience in previous outbreaks has shown that when we engage communities in prevention efforts, we stand the best chance of containing the disease.”

In addition to public information campaigns, UNICEF has provided supplies for water and hygiene, including water purification tablets to the Ebola Treatment Centers and communities in Bikoro and Mbandaka, and installed disinfection points in four other health facilities.

Hand-washing points have also been installed in 50 targeted schools in affected areas in Mbandaka, and an additional 72 schools in Bikoro will soon receive hand-washing equipment. Schools are also being equipped with thermometers to monitor the health status of children.

“We will do everything we can to keep schools safe and ensure that children’s education is not disrupted,” said Dr. Rotigliano.

Since the declaration of the Ebola outbreak by the Minister of Health on 8 May 2018, UNICEF has deployed 4585 kg of supplies, including soap, tarpaulins, buckets and chlorine to support water, sanitation and hygiene activities. Some 80 metric tons of aid, including health and water, as well as sanitation and hygiene supplies, are being shipped from Sierra Leone to the DRC to support the response.

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Photo and video material is available here: https://weshare.unicef.org/Package/2AMZIFVNIIMM

About UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, safe water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. UNICEF USA supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

For more information, contact:
Erica Vogel, UNICEF USA, 212.922.2480, evogel@unicefusa.org

To learn more about Ebola and how UNICEF is working to protect children and families in the D.R.C.: https://www.unicefusa.org/mission/survival/ebola