Fighting Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

By: Kelsey Chidley

Monday evening the Security Council passed resolution SC/5, which focused on education aimed at preventing the spread of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Based on a similar case in Nigeria in 2016, the resolution calls for campaigns that will inform the Congolese public on the potential health hazards that can result from physical contact within the context of burial traditions. This was a delicate issue to discuss in committee because of cultural differences that allow varying degrees of physical contact with the deceased. The resolution also requests that the UN facilitates aid in the form of distribution of vaccines.