A tent provided by Médecins sans frontières (MSF) at the Mongwalu hospital in Ituri, northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, was set on fire on the night of May 22. According to a statement from the humanitarian organization, this act did not result in any injuries.

Mongwalu is currently facing an Ebola outbreak that has already caused deaths and is prompting health authorities to intensify prevention and treatment measures. The destruction of this tent represents a significant setback for MSF's efforts to contain the disease in this particularly vulnerable area.

The provincial health minister, Hubert Gizanga Apisa Avina II, confirmed that positive cases of Ebola have been recorded in Mongwalu. In response to the alarming situation, the Congolese government convened local officials to assess the extent of the outbreak and implement appropriate strategies.

“The destruction of medical infrastructure further complicates our ability to respond effectively to the outbreak,” a spokesperson for MSF stated. This declaration highlights the climate of insecurity that weighs on humanitarian missions in the region.

Similar incidents are not new in the DRC. In the past, treatment centers have also been attacked or set on fire, as reported in our columns in March 2019 when facilities in Katwa and Biakato faced the same fate. These violent acts endanger not only the work of NGOs but also the lives of patients who require urgent care.

The security situation around anti-Ebola centers remains concerning. According to experts, the growing distrust towards international organizations and persistent rumors fuel these violent behaviors. Congolese authorities must therefore redouble their efforts to reassure the population about the benefits of humanitarian interventions.