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What is happening in the DRC right now?

 A deadly Ebola outbreak has been confirmed  in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with cases also reported in Uganda. The World Health Organization has declared it a public health emergency of international concern, reflecting the seriousness of the situation and the risk of further spread.

UNICEF teams are working around the clock with partners to support children and families as this emergency unfolds.

For children, an outbreak like this is not only a health emergency. It can mean:

  • losing a parent or caregiver, being separated from family,
  • missing routine health care and vaccinations,
  • facing stigma, fear, and distress,
  • missing of education and learning,
  • and losing access to the essential services they depend on.

In communities already affected by conflict, displacement, and fragile health systems, the risks can escalate quickly.

“Every Ebola outbreak places children at risk – not only from the virus itself, but from the wider disruption to health, nutrition, education and protection systems.”

How UNICEF is responding

UNICEF is working with the government and partners to help protect children and families in affected areas and support urgent preparedness in nearby countries.

140 tonnes of infection prevention and control supplies, individual protection gear and tents will be delivered to support the response in eastern DRC.

Ebola outbreak - donate today and help support UNICEF

 UNICEF’s efforts on the ground are focused on: 

Supporting children affected by the outbreak: Children who lose caregivers or become separated from their families can lose the first source of safety, care and comfort they know. They need immediate support to help them through fear, grief and uncertainty. UNICEF teams support family tracing, psychosocial care, child protection services and nutrition support for children whose well-being is affected by the emergency.

Strengthening hygiene and infection prevention: UNICEF is supporting safe water, hygiene supplies, and infection prevention measures in schools, health facilities.

Helping families protect themselves: UNICEF is sharing life-saving information with communities so families understand how Ebola spreads, what to watch for, and when to seek help.

Keeping essential services going: Disease outbreaks can disrupt routine health care, vaccination services, education and other critical support. UNICEF works with national (or local) partners to help children continue receiving essential care during emergencies.

Helping nearby countries prepare: As the situation develops, UNICEF is also supporting preparedness efforts in neighboring countries at risk of further spread.

Children cannot wait for an emergency to get worse

UNICEF is already responding alongside partners. But as needs grow, more support is urgently needed. 

Your donation today can help UNICEF reach children and families in the DRC and respond to emergencies around the world, wherever children’s needs are greatest.

Why support UNICEF?

 UNICEF has worked in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for decades,  including through conflict, displacement, disease outbreaks, and previous Ebola emergencies.

That means UNICEF is able to respond through:

  • trusted local partnerships,
  • community networks,
  • frontline teams,
  • and long-standing experience reaching children in difficult conditions.

When a crisis escalates, support from donors helps UNICEF act quickly and stay focused on children’s most urgent needs.

Got questions? We've got answers:

Your donation supports UNICEF’s work for children across West and Central Africa and beyond.

UNICEF encourages monthly donations to help us deliver sustainable, long-term solutions for children both in the region and globally.

Donating online through our UNICEF official websites is just as safe as any other online payment.

We use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption to protect your information and ensure that your donation is secure. Your card and personal data will be safe and secure.

UNICEF does not have access to your bank card details, we will only have access to the contact details you provide in the donation form: name, surname, e-mail and phone number. 

You can securely make a one-time and/or a monthly donation, on this page, by clicking on the donation buttons. Please select the donation amount that you want to give, then continue with the next steps to finish your donation.

No donation is too small, and any donation can help save children's lives. 

You choose for how long you wish to donate: monthly or only once. In order to contribute to a fundamental change in the lives of vulnerable children, the longer you choose to get involved, the more powerful your donation will be. Vulnerable children’s lives can improve if you are a part and contribute to the work that we are doing, and to the solutions that we are providing. By donating, you become an active part of the solution and of the change process.

A monthly donation is a recurring gift amount that you choose to send each month, and it is even more impactful, as this means that you'll be helping children every single day. 

Your monthly gift will also enable us to plan effectively in our upcoming work, reduce costs and most importantly, reach even more children in need. The support and generosity of monthly donors contribute significantly to UNICEF's efforts to help vulnerable children. 

For the moment, we don’t have offline fundraisers that are collecting donations for UNICEF. You can support our efforts in helping vulnerable children by donating online on this webpage.

As UNICEF, we will never reach out to private individuals via personal messages on Facebook, Instagram, or other channels.

Please do not share any sensitive/banking card information with any individuals who may ask you for this type of information, either online or offline.

Yes, you will receive an automatic "Thank You" email which can be used as a receipt for your donation.

At the moment, UNICEF does not offer individual child sponsorship. Instead, your donation supports a wide range of essential programmes that protect all children: access to safe water and sanitation, nutrition and treatment for malnutrition, vaccinations, education, child protection, and emergency humanitarian assistance. This approach ensures that your contribution reaches the most vulnerable children across Senegal, West and Central Africa, and beyond – wherever the needs are greatest.

For more information or any questions, contact us at [email protected]. We are here to answer any questions or address any concerns you may ​have.