Red Cross Movement condemns attacks on personnel in DRC and Uganda

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has condemned a series of violent attacks targeting its personnel and equipment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. These incidents occurred during the response to an Ebola epidemic.

According to reports, 12 volunteers have been injured across 11 violent incidents. In Beni, North Kivu, three volunteers were assaulted and humanitarian equipment was destroyed. In Haut-Uélé, two volunteers were injured while attempting to conduct secure burials in Malikuti, resulting in damage to two vehicles. Additionally, a Uganda Red Cross Society convoy was attacked in Aru, Ituri province, leaving one team member seriously injured and two ambulances vandalized.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) emphasized that such attacks are unacceptable and jeopardize the ability of communities to receive essential services during health crises.