A humanitarian crisis is unfolding in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the number of Ebola infections is likely to be far higher than official figures, according to Oxfam. The international development charity has warned that the lack of clean water and sanitation is exacerbating the crisis, which has seen the first line of defence against the disease collapse.
The DRC has been grappling with one of the largest Ebola outbreaks on record, with a total of 4,177 reported cases and 2,159 deaths as of 31 May, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). However, Oxfam has suggested that the true number of cases may be much higher due to a lack of access to healthcare and basic services in remote areas.
'The situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo is rapidly deteriorating,' said a spokesperson for Oxfam. 'The lack of clean water and sanitation is making it difficult for people to access basic healthcare, and the first line of defence against Ebola has collapsed.'
The WHO has been working with the DRC government and other international partners to respond to the outbreak, but the situation remains critical. The WHO has reported that the virus is spreading rapidly in the north-west of the country, particularly in the city of Mbandaka.
Oxfam is calling on the international community to provide urgent support to the DRC to help contain the outbreak and provide humanitarian aid to those affected. The charity has warned that the situation is likely to worsen in the coming weeks unless action is taken.