Protect Uganda-DRC Border Communities from Ebola

Dear donor,

Children and schools are an important part of community resilience during public health emergencies. The continuing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has disrupted communities and created additional risks for children and families. As of 3 September, the DRC had recorded 6,342 confirmed cases and 3,072 deaths.

Uganda’s successful Ebola response provides an important contrast. After recording 20 confirmed cases, Uganda completed the required 42-day monitoring period without new transmission and was declared Ebola-free.

Development Alert continues incorporating schools into community preparedness because children can become powerful messengers of accurate health information. Teachers and school leaders can reinforce practical messages about hygiene, early reporting, avoiding stigma and seeking assistance from qualified health workers.

Our activities also recognize that children can be particularly vulnerable when health emergencies disrupt education and family livelihoods. Maintaining safe learning environments and providing clear information helps reduce anxiety and misinformation.

We continue encouraging schools and community institutions to maintain accessible handwashing facilities and reinforce appropriate hygiene practices. Teachers can also help identify concerns and communicate with parents and local health structures.

Community outreach extends beyond classrooms. Parents, caregivers, youth groups and community leaders are engaged so that health messages reach households as well.

The field motorcycle supports this work by enabling teams to travel between schools and communities, deliver educational materials, and conduct follow-up visits where needed.

The DRC crisis shows why preparedness must include children and educational institutions. Uganda’s success shows that strong community participation can interrupt transmission.

With continued donor support, Development Alert can strengthen school-based preparedness, protect children and families, and ensure that health education becomes a lasting part of community resilience.

Dear beloved donor,

Community surveillance remains one of the most important pillars of outbreak preparedness. Uganda’s successful Ebola response demonstrated how early identification, contact tracing and rapid communication can help interrupt transmission. The country has now completed its 42-day monitoring period and remains Ebola-free.

The situation in the DRC reinforces the need for continued vigilance. The latest available data show 6,342 confirmed Ebola cases and 3,072 deaths as of 3 September. The DRC outbreak continues to expand geographically and remains one of the fastest-moving Ebola epidemics ever documented.

Development Alert continues supporting community surveillance networks in Uganda’s border communities. Community volunteers and local leaders are encouraged to maintain communication with health facilities and report unusual health events promptly.

Our approach is based on community participation. People living within affected and high-risk communities understand local movements, gathering points and vulnerable households. Their involvement therefore strengthens the ability of formal health systems to receive information quickly.

We continue engaging teachers, religious leaders, women’s groups, youth representatives, traders, boda boda operators and other trusted community members. These groups can help distribute accurate health messages and counter rumors.

Hygiene promotion remains an important component of preparedness. Communities are encouraged to maintain appropriate handwashing practices and follow public-health guidance.

Our field motorcycle strengthens the physical capacity to conduct community visits and follow-up activities. It reduces delays caused by difficult terrain and limited transportation.

The DRC emergency demonstrates the enormous consequences when transmission chains remain undetected. Uganda’s success demonstrates the opposite.

Development Alert is committed to preserving Uganda’s preparedness gains and ensuring that communities remain capable of identifying and communicating potential health threats rapidly.