Oxfam Diaries: DRC

May 2026: Drissa Fadiga

For many, an outbreak feels like something far off, but for those of us living and working in the eastern DRC, it brings back painful memories.” Drissa Fadiga, Security Advisor, Oxfam DRC

When we woke up to the news of the Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC, my Oxfam colleagues and I packed our gear and left immediately for Bunia, the epicentre of the virus.

On arrival, the town looked empty. The few people out on the streets were speaking in worried whispers, completely unsure of what to believe. I met mothers desperate to know how to protect their children. 

In the clinics, local health workers were trying their best to prepare. This was a community already overwhelmed by conflict, displacement, and extreme poverty. Now they are facing a terrifying new threat.

Thanks to the extraordinary kindness of our supporters, Oxfam engineers began working around the clock to provide clean water by constructing boreholes, latrines and shower blocks.

By providing these facilities, your solidarity is giving families here the resources they need to stand firm and defeat this virus.

August 2026: JEAN MARIE BOFIO

“If communities don’t understand or trust our work, our programmes will have no impact. Building that trust is just as vital as any medical intervention.” Jean Marie Bofio, Community Engagement Coordinator, Oxfam DRC

The epidemic began at a pace that surprised everyone, and we have been struggling to keep up ever since.

We are hampered by previous attacks on health facilities. And due to insecurity in the region, our work has been delayed by the need to negotiate access with armed groups.

In August, I finally joined the team on the ground. My role is to ensure our response is accepted and trusted by local communities. I do this by listening to people's concerns, engaging with community leaders and responding to local needs. As fear spreads, so too do rumours and resistance.

Our team is working alongside village chiefs, youth leaders and partners such as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). We are distributing clean water daily and providing hygiene kits to vulnerable families. Although we have only half the funding needed for our response, every pound or euro received is helping to save lives.

Still, I fear for the future.

I often think about a ten-year-old boy I met during our Ebola response in North Kivu in 2018. After his parents died, he was cared for by his older sister, who later also died from Ebola. Alone, he began to experience behavioural difficulties, required psychological care and his education suffered. I don’t want to see another generation of children, struggling to get by without care and guidance from family.

I would like to thank our donors personally. Without your trust and generosity, we would not be able to reach so many people in need. I also want to reassure you that we remain committed to using every donation responsibly and effectively to achieve the greatest possible impact.

            As our colleagues respond to the Ebola outbreak under challenging circumstances, a donation from you today can help fund practical measures needed for an effective response.

The impact of your support is being felt but the need remains urgent. Donate Now and stand in solidarity with frontline workers.