UK sends aid to Congo to fight spiralling Ebola crisis

THE Government is to send funding and expert personnel to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) amid fears the Ebola crisis there is spiralling out of control and could spread into neighbouring countries.

Rory Stewart, the International Development Secretary, will tell the Commons later today that the crisis in DRC is at a “tipping point” and will call on others to follow Britain’s lead and pledge further expertise and support.

“I am deeply concerned by the ongoing Ebola outbreak, which is spiralling dangerously out of control,” Mr Stewart is expected to tell MPS. “It’s clear to me that urgent action is needed to stop this deadly disease from spreading any further – with the consequent inevitable loss of thousands more lives.

“I believe we are at a critical tipping point. Today I am announcing new funding to help tackle the crisis. I can also confirm I will be putting more UK experts into crucial roles. I am calling on allies to follow the UK’S example.”

The warning comes amid growing concern from experts that if not contained, the highly contagious haemorrhagic fever could spread.

Despite the initial success of a vaccination campaign, violence and mistrust in the country threaten a perfect storm and case numbers are rising fast.

Just two weeks ago, the milestone of 1,000 deaths was passed, while roughly 20 per cent of the 1,739 cases reported since the outbreak began in August were recorded in the last 21 days.

Health workers have been attacked and killed and clinics burned.

“The challenge in the DRC is that there is widespread deep-seated distrust of outsiders, with people led to believe that Ebola is not real – or, worse, that it is sent deliberately to undermine their communities”, Mr Stewart will say.

“This is therefore much more than a public health emergency. With armed groups, aid workers are having to risk their own lives just to treat patients and vaccinate those at risk of the disease”.