Martin Kobler, Head of MONUSCO, commends Government and international actors’ efforts controlling the Ebola virus in the DRC

Kinshasa, 9 October 2014 – After a visit to Lokolia and Boende in Equateur province, Martin Kobler, Head of MONUSCO, commends the great work done by the Government and international actors in controlling the outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. "I would like to congratulate the Congolese State, United Nations, Doctors Without Borders agents who are doing an extraordinary work in the field. I was particularly impressed by their dedication and professionalism in the fight against this terrible disease” lauded the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Martin Kobler.

"This battle is conducted in an outstanding and exemplary way and therefore, if all the stakeholders and villagers continue to be as vigilant and committed in this fight, the disease could be brought under control in the upcoming weeks," the Head of MONUSCO added. Indeed, the last reported case was on 24 September.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Felix Kabange Numbi, seized the opportunity of this visit to announce his will to create a health center and a training center specialized in the Ebola virus treatment so as to make the locality of Lokolia an "island of development". While welcoming this announcement, the Special Representative encouraged the UN family "to support this initiative which will bring hope and a better future for the people who has suffered so much".