World / Africa
UN reports deadly attack disrupts Ebola response in eastern Congo
At least 30 civilians were killed overnight in Cantine-Aloya in eastern Congo, the United Nations said Nov. 6, citing local sources. It said homes were burned and a health center was destroyed.
Source-checked brief: attributed UN primary-source account; no on-location reporting.
At least 30 civilians were killed overnight in the locality of Cantine-Aloya in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Beni territory, according to local sources cited by the United Nations on Nov. 6.
Homes were burned and a health center was destroyed, with several patients killed, UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said, citing the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The briefing did not identify the attackers.
The insecurity also disrupted the Ebola response in North Kivu, the UN said. People who had been in contact with Ebola patients reportedly fled an observation center, and response teams suspended operations in the area, making it harder to track potential infections. Authorities have reported more than 10,700 confirmed Ebola cases and more than 5,200 deaths, according to the UN.
The UN called on all parties to protect civilians, respect international humanitarian law and ensure safe access for humanitarian and health workers. Asked about Ebola burial practices, Dujarric said the issue is being addressed through community outreach and cited disinformation that has led to attacks on front-line health workers.
What we know / what we don't
What we know
- At least 30 civilians were killed overnight in Cantine-Aloya in eastern Congo, the United Nations said Nov. 6, citing local sources. It said homes were burned and a health center was destroyed.
What we don't know
- This brief is based on the attributed UN statement; it is not independent field reporting.
The source record