In eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where ADF attacks have claimed countless lives and forced many Christians to flee, a new Ebola outbreak has begun. On May 14, authorities confirmed this is the country’s 17th epidemic since 1976.

The outbreak was first found in Mongwalo, a town in northeastern Ituri Province. Health officials say three health zones are now affected: Rwampara, Mongwalu, and Bunia.

Early reports say about 100 people have died in the community, and many of these deaths are likely linked to the virus. The African Union Health Agency identified the strain as the Bundibugyo variant, which also appeared in the DRC in 2012.

“Unlike the more familiar Zaire variant, which has an approved vaccine and established treatment protocols, the Bundibugyo variant currently has no available vaccine or adequate therapeutic options,” Minister for Health Roger Kamba said during a press conference. “This significantly increases the risk of rapid spread and complicates the medical response.”

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) warned that the situation is especially worrying because many affected areas are hard to reach. Armed groups and ongoing conflict in parts of Ituri Province make it difficult for health workers and aid teams to help communities that need urgent care and monitoring.

With the new Ebola outbreak, life has become even harder for Christian communities in the region. For years, families in Ituri and North Kivu have faced ADF violence — loved ones killed, others kidnapped, and whole villages emptied overnight. People keep moving, carrying only what they can. They sleep outdoors, hide in the forest, and never know if they will make it through the next day. Without stable shelter, regular food, clean water, or medical care, these families are already pushed to their limits.

Now, on top of everything else, Ebola has appeared. Simple steps that could save lives, like handwashing, isolation, and early treatment, are nearly impossible for people running for their lives. As the virus spreads, these already traumatized communities face two dangers at once: armed groups and a deadly epidemic. They have nowhere safe to go and no real way to protect themselves.

Many government and international officials have come to Bunia to assess the situation.

“The distance from Bunia, the capital city of Ituri Province, to Mongwalo is about 80 km, along a very challenging road marked by frequent rebel activity,” one official said. “Recently, the national army discovered nearly 100 guns buried underground in the area, pointing to the complexity of responding to this health crisis.”

In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared the outbreak a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern,” one of the highest global health alerts. This status shows the risk of the virus spreading across borders and the urgent need for international help.

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