DRC: Ebola outbreak has killed close to 1,000 children

KINSHASA (October 1, 2026) - As cases of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) eclipse 8,000 and child deaths approach 1,000, Save the Children is calling for increased investment in child-focused response measures.

Since May 15, at least 2,071 children under age 18 have contracted Ebola, with 961 of these children, almost one in two of those infected, dying from the disease.^[1]

The outbreak has grown by nearly a quarter in just over three weeks, increasing from 6,604 confirmed adult and child cases and 3,175 deaths on September 5 to 8,116 cases and 3,924 deaths by September 27.

Ebola is leaving many children bereaved, traumatized and in need of long-term support. Last month, Save the Children said that at least 180 children have lost both parents or primary caregivers to the deadly outbreak.

Dr. Babou Rukengeza, Save the Children’s Ebola Response Lead in the DRC, said:

"Behind these numbers are children who should be in school, playing with friends and growing up safely with their families, not fighting for their lives against a deadly disease. 

"The fact that one in four Ebola cases and deaths is a child means the outbreak is hitting children hardest and more needs to be done to protect them.^[2] Every day the outbreak continues, more children risk becoming infected, dying, losing loved ones or suffering the long-term consequences of this crisis. 

“We urgently need increased support to protect children, strengthen health services, help communities prevent the spread of the disease and ensure children who have lost parents or caregivers receive the support they need.”

Save the Children is calling for increased investment in child-focused outbreak response measures, including infection prevention, treatment services, support for children without parental care, community engagement and support for families affected by the disease.

The child rights organization warned that progress in controlling the outbreak could be undermined if communities lack access to healthcare, information and essential services needed to prevent transmission and protect children.

Save the Children supports infection prevention, community engagement, case detection and referral, and the continuity of essential services for children and families. The aid agency is also providing psychosocial support and child protection services, including support for children who have lost caregivers, while working to ensure children can continue learning and access healthcare, nutrition and protection services safely throughout the crisis.

In the DRC since 1994, Save the Children partners with 13 local organizations, as well as international agencies and government authorities, to deliver lifesaving support in health, nutrition, education, child protection, food security, water, sanitation, and hygiene for children and their families.

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Notes:

[1] According to figures provided to Save the Children by the DRC Ministry of Health.

[2] 961 out of 3,924 total deaths since the start of the outbreak on May 15 are children, equaling 24.5 per cent, close to one in four.