Kinshasa/Nairobi/Geneva – 22 September 2025 — The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is appealing for 20 million Swiss francs to help contain the first Ebola outbreak to hit the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Kasaï province since 2008, before it spreads further and deepens an already deadly crisis.  

Ariel Kestens, IFRC Head of Delegation in Kinshasa says:  “We’ve just received urgent updates from our volunteers and staff in Bulape, the epicentre of this outbreak. Health facilities are overwhelmed, essential supplies are not available, and the area is without power. Families are deeply anxious, especially as the virus is disproportionately affecting vulnerable people. The situation demands immediate action, every hour counts in our effort to protect lives and prevent further spread.”  

According to the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Ministry of Health, as of 18 September 2025 the provisional toll stands at 37 confirmed cases and 19 deaths including four health workers. It is concentrated in the Bulape and Mweka health zones, where reaching communities from Kinshasa can take three days by road. Health facilities are severely limited with the main isolation centre having few spaces for patients.  

The Bulape health zone is reporting the highest number of cases and deaths with most people affected aged 15 years and older. Health facilities are overwhelmed and do not have resources to provide care, with the only treatment centre already at 119% capacity.  

Volunteers are actively supporting families in Bulape and Mweka, where humanitarian needs remain acute. Health workers are operating under intense pressure, and essential resources, such as clean water and protective equipment, are nearing depletion. In response, efforts to scale up support are underway. However, additional resources are urgently needed to contain the outbreak and safeguard affected communities.  

The DRC is simultaneously battling Mpox, cholera and measles outbreaks, all while facing an economic and political crisis. These overlapping challenges are straining national resources and limiting response capacity. Without urgent resources, this Ebola resurgence could rapidly spread across already fragile communities.  

The outbreak disproportionately affects women, children and vulnerable groups. Schools in affected districts have closed, forcing more than 44,000 children out of classrooms, while traditional funerary practices, and stigma, and multiples crises are fuelling the risks of spread, displacement and gender-based violence. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are among the most affected. At least five HCWs have already been infected, with four reported deaths. However, vaccination of frontline health workers has started.  

Gregoire Mateso, President of the DRC Red Cross says: “Protecting health workers means protecting communities. The DRC needs urgent support, especially in remote and under-resourced areas. This is not just about Kasai – it’s about preventing another regional health crisis.”  

The Red Cross is already responding but the operation must urgently scale up. Volunteers have carried out safe and dignified burials to stop further spread, reached hundreds with trusted information through faith leaders and door-to-door visits. With health facilities overwhelmed and frontline workers already infected, urgent support is needed to expand vaccination, availability of protective equipment, hygiene measures, and psychosocial support for families.  

The IFRC emergency appeal for 20 million Swiss francs will support the DRC Red Cross in scaling up its Ebola response, aiming to reach 965,000 people with urgent assistance. The funding will strengthen critical activities such as safe and dignified burials, health worker protection, risk communication and community engagement, hygiene promotion surveillance, and psychosocial support. Already, the DRC Red Cross has reached more than 7,000 people with awareness-raising sessions.  

The IFRC and DRC Red Cross call on the international community to urgently mobilize resources and support to prevent the outbreak from spiralling further.