WHO relocates nearly 50 staff from Ebola team in Congo due to security situation

World Health Organisation evacuated nearly 49 n-essential staff among 120 working on Ebola epidemic from town of Beni in Democratic Republic of Congo due to worsening of security situation. UN spokesperson said on vember 26 said that two people were killed in clashes with police in eastern Congo on vember 25 after demonstrators set ablaze mayor's office and several or UN buildings in anger at a new round of violence by rebels believed to belong to Allied Democratic Forces (F). 

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Residents are disappointed and angry at perceived inaction of both, government and a UN peacekeeping mission. WHO spokesperson, Christian Lindmeier said in a news briefing that n-essential staff were flown on Tuesday morning to eastern city of Goma, where 49 of m are still continuing ir work. Even w, 71 members still remain on spot to ensure as good as possible or at least minimum support to Ebola response. Lindmeier also said that anger among population is 'very much understandable', however, for vital operations, law and order shall be restored. 

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UNICEF too relocated its staff

UNICEF spokesperson also said that it has also temporarily relocated 27 members of ir staff and left only 12 in Beni. executive director of WHO Health Emergencies Programme, Dr Michael Ryan said on vember 22 that nearly 360 people were at risk of Ebola after coming in contact with an infected person in eastern Congo. However, many of potentially infected people are out of reach due to clashes and insecurity in area. Lindmeier also stressed that violence must stop, because officials have many places to go and are unable to contact due to military and rebel violence. 

For Ebola response, according to WHO spokesperson, entire situation is catastrophic. Since outbreak was declared in August 2018, re have been at least 3,303 cases of Ebola including 2,199 deaths. WHO h declared an emergency in July 2019. 

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(With ncy inputs)