Operational snapshot: Ebola emergency
Overview
On 17 May 2026, The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of international concern.
To support humanitarian efforts in the affected areas, UNHRD activated a multi-hub response, facilitating the mobilization of around 623 MT of logistics equipment and relief items through its hubs in Accra, Brindisi, and Dubai on behalf of nine humanitarian partners via commercial and charter flights, as well as sea and overland transport.
The response relied on close coordination with humanitarian partners, WFP Country Offices in DRC and Uganda, WFP supply chain units as well as the WFP-led Global Logistics and Telecommunication Cluster, supporting the onward transportation of most cargo to affected areas.
Among the key recent operations, the hub in Dubai facilitated a charter flight mobilized by the United States Government, supporting the movement of 66 MT of hygiene supplies. In addition, the hub in Accra coordinated the airlift of 59 MT of prepositioned cargo, including 14 MT of United States Government WASH supplies and logistics equipment from Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and 45 MT of WFP logistics equipment.
The generous support of Dubai Humanitarian and DG ECHO has been vital to response efforts.
Dubai Humanitarian enabled the movement of over 157 MT of cargo by providing space on three charter flights from Dubai to Entebbe, including 70 MT of WFP logistics equipment to support operations and strengthen logistics capacity in affected areas.
The Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) also played a key role by activating two in-kind charter flights from Accra to Entebbe (loaded with 116 MT of UNHRD’s partner cargo) and mobilizing 36.5 MT of stock from the UNHRD warehouse in Brindisi, further strengthening the overall response capacity.
Operational partners
