The maternal death crisis hidden amid Ebola’s spread in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

ITURI PROVINCE, The Democratic Republic of the Congo – “My fear left me when I saw people dying in that camp,” said Francine Evhe, who works at a health centre in the Kigonze displacement camp in Bunia, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “If I didn’t act, the pregnant women would die too.”

The latest outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola was declared a public health emergency in May 2026, with its epicentre in Bunia – a commercial and transport hub – and the wider Ituri Province. 

Past epidemics have shown that the strain on healthcare infrastructure can trigger a wave of preventable maternal deaths as medical services are disrupted. UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, which is the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency, is currently working across 29 health zones in the east of the country to keep maternal and other critical health services running during the outbreak. 

“Despite the severity of Ebola, I have a duty as a midwife to support women and girls and to save lives,” said Ms. Evhe. “That’s what motivates us every day.”

“My fear left me when I saw people dying in that camp” – Francine Evhe

In Ituri Province, national data show that maternal deaths rates have doubled since 25 May, with an average of more than six deaths registered per week. Ebola infection during pregnancy carries a near 100 per cent fetal loss rate, and in some outbreaks more than 90 per cent of pregnant women have died after contracting the virus. 

“Even in the middle of an Ebola epidemic, women don’t stop giving birth, they don’t stop bringing life into the world,” said Pacifique Kigongwe, a humanitarian specialist with UNFPA in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

“When health services are overwhelmed and fear keeps people away from healthcare, it is women, girls and children who pay the highest price.”

Mounting risks facing women and newborns

Ebola’s consequences have been catastrophic in a region already strained by insecurity, conflict and repeated displacement, which makes tracing cases much more difficult. Transmission has been alarmingly swift, particularly in remote but densely populated camp settings, areas where cross-border travel is frequent. 

“This is a very stressful situation with a heavy workload,” said midwife Esther Ileli, who also works at the Kigonze health centre. “We have to consider how to assist births, as well as ensure protection and prevention of Ebola.”

“We are raising awareness among pregnant women about the importance of adhering to preventive measures, […] encouraging them to quickly recognize the danger signs related to pregnancy and to seek immediate medical attention.” 

UNFPA has deployed more than 150 midwives to carry out safe deliveries and emphasize the importance of skilled care. Many pregnant women avoid health facilities out of fear, misinformation and the stigma associated with Ebola, which can lead to life-threatening childbirth complications when trying to deliver at home and unassisted. 

 “Even in the middle of an Ebola epidemic, women don’t stop giving birth, they don’t stop bringing life into the world” – Pacifique Kigongwe

To mitigate the risks for some 63,700 pregnant women in affected areas, UNFPA is working with local women’s groups, youth networks and midwives associations to provide accurate advice and support.

“Informing, listening to and supporting women is essential to transforming fear into protective behaviour and strengthening the resilience of communities in the face of Ebola,” explained Ms. Ileli. 

Women in general face a high risk of contracting the virus due to their roles as primary household caregivers for sick family members as well as frontline medical workers, including as midwives and nurses. There is no approved vaccine for this strain, so containment relies on infection prevention, continuity of essential health services and community trust. 

Cuts to funding undermine humanitarian response 

Already the third-largest Ebola outbreak on record in the country, the rapidly growing crisis is exacerbated by recent deep funding cuts to humanitarian aid operations, with the impact of health worker shortages and a lack of safe hygiene and sanitation infrastructure becoming devastatingly clear. 

To help keep workers safe and an overstretched health system running, UNFPA is providing midwives with personal protection equipment designed specifically for delivery rooms, training on infection prevention and control protocols, and helping install handwashing stations and secure waste management systems. Community engagement campaigns are also being conducted to raise awareness of measures to prevent the sexual transmission of Ebola.

 “Listening to and supporting women is essential to transforming fear into protective behaviour” – Ester Ileli 

Part of UNFPA’s response efforts includes distributing reproductive health and dignity kits to clinics and hospitals. “This equipment is essential for reaching the end of the epidemic,” said Dr. Type Ukurfwa, Chief Medical Officer of the Bunia Health Zone. “It is not merely logistical support; it embodies a message of hope and resilience, reminding us that every life counts and that the dignity of women and girls must be protected under all circumstances.”

UNFPA’s Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is supported by the European Union’s humanitarian aid office, the Government of the United Kingdom, and the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). Through funding from Japan, a new ambulance is ensuring that emergency referrals for obstetric complications can continue across the province’s five territories.

UNFPA has appealed for US $17.1 million for its Ebola response, working with local and international partners on the ground. But with less than 10 per cent of the funding received, urgent support is critical to prevent more deaths, strengthen community resilience, and contain the outbreak before it escalates further.