Morocco has delivered more than nine tonnes of medical supplies to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of efforts to support the response to an Ebola outbreak in the country’s northeastern Ituri province.
A Royal Moroccan Air Force C-130H transport aircraft landed at Bunia Airport on June 22 carrying medicines, pharmaceutical products, personal protective equipment and laboratory, diagnostic and patient-monitoring equipment intended for the U.N. Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO).
The shipment comes as Congolese authorities and international partners work to contain an outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
According to figures released by the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ministry of Health on June 24, the outbreak has resulted in 1,094 confirmed infections and 277 confirmed deaths. Ituri remains the most affected province, accounting for 997 confirmed cases across 22 health zones.
The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on May 16, citing concerns over the spread of the disease and the challenges facing health authorities in containing it.
The Moroccan donation is expected to strengthen the capabilities of the MONUSCO Level II Hospital in Bunia, which is managed by the Moroccan military contingent deployed within the U.N. mission.
The equipment will support both civilian and military personnel serving under MONUSCO, including Congolese and international staff operating in one of the regions most affected by the outbreak.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, MONUSCO North Sector Commander Maj. Gen. Saiful Alam Bhuiyan emphasized the importance of the assistance.
“We are operating at the epicentre of the Ebola outbreak, and our troops continue to carry out their duties despite the epidemic,” Bhuiyan said. “This donation will help us continue delivering on our mandate.”
MONUSCO said a second Moroccan airlift is expected in the coming days. The upcoming deployment will deliver additional medical supplies and transport a specialized Moroccan medical team to reinforce response efforts on the ground.
The deliveries are part of an air bridge established between Morocco and the Democratic Republic of Congo to support health and humanitarian operations linked to the outbreak.
Congolese officials welcomed the assistance, noting that additional international support remains critical.
René Ngamba, a representative of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s General Directorate of Civil Protection, said the government requires more partners to help address the crisis, particularly through the provision of medical equipment and logistical resources.
Morocco has been a longstanding contributor to U.N. peacekeeping operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo and maintains one of the largest contingents within MONUSCO. The latest medical deployment highlights Rabat’s continued involvement in humanitarian and health-related support efforts in Africa, as authorities seek to curb one of the deadliest Ebola outbreaks currently affecting the continent.
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