currently raging in North Kivu, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo , is not new. He witnessed an earlier outbreak of the disease in Equateur Province, 1,550 miles west of the newly affected areas. “But whatever it is, you do not get used to fighting a highly dangerous, contagious and deadly disease like Ebola,” he says.
In the fight against the disease, UNICEF has mobilized communication specialists to raise awareness among the local population. “As part of my communication activities, I visit markets, among other places. With the support of local civil organizations, I remind people that good hygiene and frequent hand washing are essential to protect oneself against the disease.”
Masuku and his colleagues spare no effort to create a shield of informed people to help prevent the spread of the disease. “In the communication committee that UNICEF runs with the Government, we identify all the partners who can help us sensitize the local population. All ideas are welcome. They are discussed at our daily meeting.”
A member of UNICEF’s Ebola outreach team addresses children in Ebola-hit Beni in North Kivu in The Democratic Republic of the Congo.Barely a week after the outbreak was announced, UNICEF and partners had already reached more than 30,000 people with their prevention work. “Each of them is a partner in the fight against the Ebola virus. They can pass prevention messages to their families and neighbors,” says Masuku. “The work is definitely not over.