Bunia, Ituri Province – In a joint briefing held on Thursday, June 18, 2026, the Congolese government staunchly defended its ongoing efforts to combat the Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic gripping the eastern provinces of Ituri, Nord-Kivu, and Sud-Kivu. Patrick Muyaya, the Minister of Communication and Media and government spokesperson, called for an “objective assessment” of the measures undertaken by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) authorities.

Speaking alongside Roger Samuel Kamba, the Minister of Public Health, Hygiene, and Social Welfare, Muyaya directly addressed criticisms from certain non-governmental organizations involved in the health response. He affirmed the government’s openness to constructive feedback but stressed the importance of acknowledging the substantial work already accomplished on the ground. While conceding that challenges persist, Muyaya firmly rejected any form of alarmist rhetoric.

“I prefer not to name the NGOs that are critical. It is evident that we operate with transparency. You observed the various speakers earlier; no one received instructions on what to say. We do not claim perfection, but we are committed to fulfilling our responsibilities,” the government spokesperson stated.

Muyaya highlighted that the Congolese state proactively mobilized its own financial resources, allocating 50 million USD, even before receiving support from external partners. He further clarified the nature of international funding, emphasizing that these contributions are typically directed to NGOs, not directly to the government.

“The government did not wait for partners. We have already committed 50 million USD of our own funds, setting an example. All the international funding you hear about, from the American government and other partners, is channeled directly to NGOs, not to the government itself,” Muyaya elaborated during his address.

The Minister urged all stakeholders involved in the response to embrace collective responsibility, suggesting that some criticisms might not accurately reflect the realities on the ground. He cautioned against attempts to exploit the health crisis for additional funding.

“We are all united by a common goal: to end this epidemic. However, it is another matter for those who believe they can solicit more resources through this crisis. Other mechanisms exist for advocacy,” he remarked, calling for greater restraint from concerned organizations. “To downplay the sacrifices of those working here is to disregard their efforts. I would urge these NGOs to exercise more discretion, as there is much to be said about their own actions on the ground if we were to scrutinize them.”

Minister of Health Roger Samuel Kamba, for his part, expressed a preference for focusing on tangible results rather than engaging in polemics. “I choose to remain focused on the facts,” he declared, before listing key indicators he considers vital for evaluating the response. “I prefer to look at the number of tests conducted in a month, the treatment centers established, the community relays deployed, the samples analyzed daily, and the number of people who have recovered,” he added.

Kamba underscored that the effectiveness of the response should be measured by concrete actions on the ground. “Rumors and attempts by individuals to claim credit do not interest me,” he asserted. He believes a comprehensive assessment can only be made once the health crisis concludes: “When this epidemic is over, everyone can reflect on their contributions and draw their own conclusions.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) classified the Ebola epidemic, caused by the Bundibugyo virus and spreading from the DRC to Uganda, as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on May 17, 2026, just two days after the official declaration of the outbreak in the DRC.

According to WHO, the epidemic has seen significant geographical expansion, and its true scale may be underestimated. The situation is exacerbated by factors such as high population mobility, fragile health systems, inadequate health infrastructure, and difficulties accessing conflict-affected areas. Adding to these challenges is the current absence of an approved vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo virus. Despite these serious concerns, Congolese authorities maintain a sense of optimism, drawing on their extensive experience from successfully managing sixteen previous Ebola outbreaks.