UNICEF: Over 1,900 children orphaned or separated by Ebola in eastern DR Congo
UNICEF says Ebola has orphaned or separated more than 1,900 children in Ituri and North Kivu since May, and warns the real toll is likely higher.
The story in focus
More than 1,900 children have lost or been separated from one or both parents or caregivers to Ebola in eastern DR Congo since the outbreak was declared in May, UNICEF said. The agency counted 1,581 children in Ituri and 322 in North Kivu as of 28 September and warned the true toll is likely higher.
- UNICEF identified 1,581 affected children in Ituri and 322 in North Kivu as of 28 September, covering only areas where it works with provincial social affairs authorities.
- At least 2,076 children had confirmed Ebola and 1,162 had died as of 29 September, per UNICEF analysis of health ministry data with recorded ages.
- UNICEF is seeking US$150.8 million for its Ebola response, including US$113.4 million for DR Congo, where only US$40.1 million had been mobilized.
What the figures show
UNICEF reported that 1,900-plus children across eastern DR Congo have lost or been separated from one or both parents or caregivers since the outbreak was declared in May. Its count as of 28 September was 1,581 children in Ituri and 322 in North Kivu, limited to areas where the agency works with the Provincial Division of Social Affairs.
The agency said the actual number is likely higher. It also identified 214 children living and working on the streets of Bunia as needing protection, citing risks of infection, missed contact tracing, exploitation and violence.
Children and the outbreak
Citing health ministry data with recorded ages, UNICEF said at least 2,076 children had been confirmed with Ebola and at least 1,162 had died as of 29 September. Children account for more than one in four confirmed cases but about one in three deaths.
Among children under five with confirmed Ebola, seven in ten have died, up from six in ten weeks earlier, UNICEF said. Nationally, more than 8,224 cases and 3,982 deaths had been confirmed across seven provinces as of 29 September.
Response and funding
UNICEF supports 12 nurseries near Ebola Treatment Centres in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu. It is calling for a nursery at every treatment centre, paediatric clinical care, more social workers in hotspot zones and funding for family reunification and schooling.
The agency is seeking US$150.8 million for its Ebola response, including US$113.4 million for DR Congo, of which US$40.1 million had been mobilized. It said the virus is spreading in provinces hosting around 4.4 million internally displaced people.
How many children in eastern DR Congo has Ebola orphaned or separated from caregivers?
UNICEF counted more than 1,900 children orphaned or separated from one or both parents or caregivers since May: 1,581 in Ituri and 322 in North Kivu as of 28 September. It said the real figure is likely higher.
Sources & further reading
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