Research Examines GBV, Sexual Exploitation Of Women In DRC Amid Ebola Outbreak; Media Outlets Continue To Cover Outbreak’s Impact On Children

The Guardian: Ebola vaccine offered in exchange for sex, say women in Congo
“An unparalleled Ebola vaccination programme in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has become engulfed in allegations of impropriety, amid claims that women are being asked for sexual favours in exchange for treatment. Research by several NGOs has revealed that a deep mistrust of health workers is rife in DRC and gender-based violence is believed to have increased since the start of the Ebola outbreak in August. The research, presented at a national taskforce meeting in Beni, follows calls by international health experts urging the World Health Organization to consider issuing a global alert in relation to the outbreak. The experimental vaccine has been described by the WHO as ‘highly, highly efficacious’ and hopes have been pinned on it controlling the outbreak…” (Holt/Ratcliffe, 2/12)

ABC News: Nearly 100 children dead as world’s 2nd-largest Ebola outbreak surpasses 800 cases
“The second-largest, second-deadliest Ebola outbreak in history has claimed the lives of nearly 100 children. At least 97 children, 65 of whom were younger than five years old, have died from Ebola virus disease in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo since the outbreak was declared there Aug. 1, according to a press release from Save the Children, a charity supporting the fight against the current epidemic…” (Winsor, 2/11).

Fox News: Ebola kills nearly 100 children in Congo as outbreak rages on
“…The Associated Press reports the outbreak, which is mostly afflicting the eastern region, is nearing Goma, a major border city with a population of over one million. The United Nations said earlier this month that a coordinated relief effort was already being sent to the region, which included vaccinating nearly 2,000 front-line workers” (Hein, 2/11).

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