Living Ebola-free in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Good practices

To prevent the spread of Ebola, a project funded by the United States Agency for International Development and implemented by Tearfund in partnership with IMA World Health (IMA), began in the North Kivu and the Ituri provinces. It helped communities access clean drinking water by digging wells and installing pumps and taps. These pumping systems are solar powered, meaning they’re more efficient and sustainable.

In schools and places of worship (churches and mosques), Tearfund installed water-harvesting tools to collect rainwater, set up handwashing stations and promoted good hygiene practices.

To prevent Ebola from spreading, washing hands regularly with clean water is key. It also reduces other waterborne diseases such as cholera.

The project has meant at least 15,000 people now have access to drinking water, as well as being trained in how to prevent the spread of Ebola.

‘Praise God for how he has helped us to prevent many more people from contracting Ebola, through this project,’ shares Hebdavi Muhindo, who leads Tearfund’s work in the DRC. ‘But please continue to pray for the DRC, which still faces violence, coronavirus and the threat of Ebola returning.’