Restoring trust in eastern DRC amid the Ebola outbreak

Misinformation and the shadow of the ‘Ebola business’

This 17th Ebola outbreak is unfolding amid an unstable security environment that fuels distrust and misinformation. In Butembo and Beni, within North Kivu province in eastern DRC, communities remain deeply scarred by the 2018-2020 epidemic. Grief over lost loved ones, lack of accurate information, and restrictions on visiting the sick have eroded trust in medical responses.  

In 2019, tensions escalated to the point of partially burning down a treatment centre (CTE), forcing MSF to suspend activities temporarily in the area. 

« Some people advised us not to go to the health centre, claiming doctors would make my husband sick », shares Elise*, who is accompanying her husband after he tested positive.  

In a region where humanitarian aid is scarce, the return of medical teams revives old fears. « Rumours spread across all levels of society », notes Dr. Pablo Paluku Lwanzo, Butembo health zone chief. « Some deny the existence of the disease or accuse us of poisoning. » 

Alongside disinformation, memories of the documented ‘Ebola business’ from past crises—marked by financial abuses and even gender-based violence—continue to undermine the safety of humanitarian workers.

Meanwhile, the virus advances at an unprecedented pace

As of 13 July 2026, Butembo and Beni recorded 122 and 31 confirmed cases, respectively, with 77 and 20 deaths. « These figures likely understate the true scale », warns Hugo Soubrier, MSF epidemiologist in North Kivu. 

« Patients often arrive at an advanced stage of illness, explaining the high mortality rate. Nearly half of those infected had contact with unidentified cases. »

A new isolation centre brings hope to families

Denise’s sister was admitted to the new isolation centre in Butembo, opened in early July by MSF. Daily, Denise and her family can visit through a glass partition. « It reassures me to see her », she says.  

« The isolation policy aims to contain the spread while allowing families to see patients », explains Delmas Kalemba, MSF logistics coordinator. In Butembo, teams repurposed a building from the general reference hospital to create a 35-bed CTE. 

Putting communities at the heart of the response

To curb the virus’s spread—now reaching Tshopo and Haut-Uélé provinces—and rebuild trust, MSF engages local populations directly. « They have firsthand experience with Ebola and deep knowledge of the terrain », says Margot Grelet, Butembo project coordinator. « Our role is to provide medical expertise, equipment, and treatments. » 

MSF teams regularly meet with community and religious leaders to tailor interventions. The priority is convincing people to seek care at the first sign of symptoms to improve survival chances.

Community relays: the backbone of prevention efforts

In Beni, 50 km from Butembo, the same participatory approach is in action. « We rely on group leaders, opinion makers, and civil society to share prevention messages », says Delphine Ferry, health promotion officer. 

On the ground, 150 community relays trained by MSF address families’ questions about the Bundibugyo virus and treatment centres.

Bringing care closer and easing patient fears

This commitment to proximity translates into tangible operational choices. In addition to a 26-bed care centre nearing completion near Beni’s reference hospital, MSF supports two local health centres by offering free primary care. 

Twelve observation rooms have been set up in Kanzulinzuli and Malepe health areas, with eleven more under construction in Madrandele and Kasabinyole. These spaces safely isolate and treat suspected cases while maintaining vital visual and social connections with loved ones. 

*Names have been changed to protect the anonymity of those interviewed.