UN expands humanitarian corridors as Ebola spreads in DRC

The United Nations and its agencies are strengthening humanitarian corridors to deliver food, water, medicines and emergency supplies to isolated communities affected by drought, climate‑related shocks and armed conflict. Coordination among the World Food Programme, UNICEF, UNHCR, WHO, FAO and OCHA is aimed at keeping aid routes operational for millions of people.

At the same time, the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has accelerated. The World Health Organization reports 3,748 confirmed cases and 1,587 deaths as of 30 July, a 44 % case‑fatality rate. The virus has moved from its original focus in Mongbwalu to five provinces—Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut‑Uélé and Tshopo—with Ituri accounting for about 90 % of cases. Ongoing conflict, large‑scale displacement of roughly 270,000 people and attacks on treatment centres, such as the one in Nia‑Nia, complicate response efforts. OCHA is coordinating a humanitarian mission on the ground to support local authorities and communities.