Re-emergence of Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Synergizing the preparedness and response measures with the Sustainable Development Goals

Ebola outbreaks, which have re-emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), have continued to galvanize the regional and global attention. The outbreaks are likely to transcend borders and threaten the global health crisis, especially ensuring “healthy lives and to promote the well-being for all at all ages,” which is grounded in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In this regard, the present paper attempts to discuss the synergies between the SDGs and Ebola preparedness and response measures - with a specific outlook on SDG 3 and the recent Ebola outbreak in the DRC. This paper aims at showing how the five (5) targets in SDG 3 can be prioritized and integrated in the Ebola preparedness and response measures taken against the battle of any sporadic health disasters and emergencies similar to Ebola. The targets include: end epidemics of infectious diseases; achieve universal health coverage; support research and the development of vaccines and medicines; increase health financing and recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce; and strengthen the capacity for early warnings, risk reduction and management. The paper ends by calling for an approach which elucidates an interaction between the environmental factors and countermeasures of responding to re-emergence and transmission of this deadly disease in the DRC and elsewhere.

This paper is a contribution to the 2019 edition of the Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction (GAR 2019).

To cite this paper: 

Balikuddembe, J.K. Re-emergence of Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Synergizing the preparedness and response measures with the Sustainable Development Goals. Contributing Paper to GAR 2019