Audio By Carbonatix
Ebola response workers in eastern Congo have staged protests this week to call for the government to pay salaries and allowances that they say are nearly three months overdue, as security incidents continue to hamper efforts to contain the outbreak.
- Dozens of health workers gathered outside Ebola treatment centres in Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu, all in Ituri province, on Sunday and Monday, calling for immediate payment of the salaries and allowances, protesters said.
- In the protest in Mongbwalu on Monday, police dispersed demonstrators after they caused a disruption outside a hospital, local authorities and a protester said.
- "We are facing an unjust situation that seriously jeopardises the continuation of the response effort," the health workers said in a letter addressed to President Felix Tshisekedi. He has not publicly responded.
- Congo's communications ministry did not respond to a request for comment.
- Ebola response efforts also continue to be disrupted by security incidents amid persistent community mistrust.
- A group of young men in Niania, also in Ituri province, briefly blocked a U.N. World Food Programme helicopter from landing on Tuesday and threw projectiles at an Ebola treatment centre, prompting police to fire warning shots, according to local civil society leader Samuel Banapia.
- In neighbouring North Kivu province, rumours on social media that health authorities planned to impose a curfew sparked protests in Butembo on Monday, Katwa health zone chief Jean Mukoko told Reuters.
- An ambulance sent to evacuate a suspected Ebola case was vandalised in Beni on Saturday, a local health official said.
- The outbreak has infected 3,802 people and killed 1,707 since it was declared on May 15, according to the latest government data released on Monday, and is now the second-largest on record globally.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Africa World Airlines unveils first Embraer E190 as part of 10-aircraft fleet expansion
40 minutes -
Civilian hospitalised after alleged machete attack by prison officers, inmates
57 minutes -
Toobu rejects calls to recall Parliament over 3.9-tonne cocaine shipment
2 hours -
Residents in 5 Northern Regions warned of approaching rainstorm
2 hours -
Constituency Games still a work in progress – Sports Minister
2 hours -
Team Ghana set for historic Karting Africa Showrun in Angola
2 hours -
52-year-old South African arrested with suspected heroin after arriving from Accra
2 hours -
Shatta Wale challenges UPSA students to build entrepreneurial mindsets
3 hours -
Finance Minister advises African governments to strengthen regional tax cooperation
4 hours -
NPP accuses NDC of master-minding demolition of Ho regional office fence
4 hours -
Ghana plans stronger regional power trade with Nigeria
4 hours -
GRA Commissioner-General calls for stronger tax cooperation to boost regional revenue mobilisation
4 hours -
NACOC needs more personnel to tackle drug trafficking – Toobu
4 hours -
Railway workers resist KMA eviction order, demand consultation
4 hours -
Legacy Leadership Africa Institute to host boardroom women’s leadership programme
5 hours