Full Breakdown
Spike in Deaths at Kigonze Camp Raises Ebola Fears Amid Sanitation Crisis
6/20/2026, 7:28:26 AM
The Unprecedented Mortality Surge
Since early May, at least 30 people have died in Kigonze displacement camp near Bunia, Ituri province, a rate camp officials describe as “unprecedented.” Ten burials occurred in a single week, whereas the camp normally records one to three deaths per month. All the deceased exhibited fever, headaches and vomiting—symptoms commonly associated with Ebola. Health workers have collected samples from five victims and are awaiting laboratory confirmation.
Background: Ebola Outbreak and Displaced Populations
The Democratic Republic of Congo declared an Ebola outbreak on 15 May 2026, though deaths began earlier. The Ituri province accounts for over 90 % of the nation’s roughly 900 confirmed cases. More than five million people are displaced across eastern Congo, with Kigonze alone housing over 15 000 residents in tightly packed plastic tents.
Key Actors on the Ground
- Desire Grodya Bapi – Camp spokesperson who reported testing resistance.
- Dz’djo Ndrutsi Etienne – President of Kigonze camp.
- Justin Zanamuzi – Director of the Catholic aid organization Caritas.
- Kato Lonu – Resident who lost two children, including a six-month-old.
- Mercy Corps, Danish Refugee Council, CARE International, Oxfam – NGOs highlighting funding shortfalls.
- USAID and the U.S. State Department – Primary donors for water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services.
Data on Sanitation and Funding
- UN data: funding for toilets and hand-washing stations fell from ? $80 million (2023) to ? $38 million (2024-2025).
- Current appeal: $80 million, only 21 % funded.
- U.S. contributions: > $60 million for WASH in 2024; > $375 million for direct Ebola response.
- Mercy Corps: 2024 – 82 water taps and > 400 public toilets serving 125 000 displaced; 2025 – six taps serving < 19 000, no public toilets.
Why Sanitation Matters
Overcrowded tents are spaced less than a metre apart; children walk barefoot on muddy alleys. Latrines frequently overflow, forcing residents to empty them manually with bare hands, a condition that accelerates transmission of diseases spread through bodily fluids, including Ebola.
Official Statements & Responses
Camp spokesperson Grodya Bapi said residents have repeatedly refused medical teams’ attempts to test both the living and the dead, hindering confirmation of the outbreak’s cause. Caritas director Zanamuzi reported that his team tried to persuade families to allow inspections, but “they completely refused.” A former USAID official confirmed that Washington provided over $60 million for WASH in 2024 and defended recent cuts by emphasizing a focus on “hyper-prioritised life-saving humanitarian assistance.” The U.S. State Department has not issued an immediate comment.
Criticism & Opposition
Aid groups—including Mercy Corps, CARE International, Oxfam and the Danish Refugee Council—argue that U.S. funding reductions have crippled sanitation projects, leaving thousands without safe water or toilets. Residents echo these concerns, describing conditions “no human being should have to live in.”
On-the-Ground Observations
Footage verified by Reuters shows health workers in hazmat suits disinfecting bodies, preparing tiny coffins beside a crucifix, and covering corpses—including a pregnant woman and children—in sheets. Latrine overflow forces manual emptying, as described by camp officials.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The cause of the 30 deaths remains unverified; Ebola is suspected but cholera, which shares similar symptoms, has not been ruled out. Testing refusal and pending lab results leave a critical information gap.
Verbatim Quotes
- “People didn’t just die like this before,” — Desire Grodya Bapi, Camp Spokesperson
- “Our team tried to persuade people to accept doctors to inspect the bodies. They completely refused,” — Justin Zanamuzi, Director, Caritas
- “These are conditions that no human being should have to live in. If you look around, people are dying one after another,” — Kato Lonu, Camp Resident
- “The latrines, they fill up very quickly, and people have to empty them themselves, with their bare hands,” — Desire Grodya Bapi, Camp Spokesperson
- “hyper-prioritised life-saving humanitarian assistance” — Trump Administration
What’s Next
Laboratory results for the five sampled victims are expected within weeks. The UN appeal seeks additional funding to restore WASH infrastructure, while NGOs urge the U.S. and other donors to reinstate sanitation projects before the outbreak potentially spreads to the broader displaced population.
