MONUSCO donates Ebola prevention equipment to Congolese police in Bunia

DRC – The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) has donated Ebola prevention and protection equipment to the Congolese National Police (PNC) in Bunia, Ituri Province, to reduce infection risks among officers supporting the outbreak response.

The handover, conducted through MONUSCO’s Police Component (UNPOL), comes as Ebola cases continue to affect communities across Ituri.

Police officers support containment efforts by monitoring population movements, enforcing preventive measures and providing security for healthcare teams.

These activities expose them to potential infection, making protective equipment essential to maintaining operational capacity.

Equipment targets five police units

The donation includes 500 FFP2/N95 protective masks, 20 infrared thermometers for temperature screening, 100 units of alcohol-based hand sanitiser, 125 units of disinfectant liquid soap and 10 handwashing stations, each with a 100-litre capacity.

MONUSCO also supplied medical gloves, powdered chlorine, garbage bags and public awareness materials comprising 700 leaflets and 100 posters outlining Ebola prevention measures.

Five police units will receive the supplies: the Ituri Provincial Police Headquarters, Bunia Police Training School, Urban Police Station, Mobile Intervention Group (GMI) and Anti-Crime and Narcotics Squad.

The equipment will support officers managing checkpoints and participating in outbreak response operations in coordination with health authorities.

The distribution is also intended to improve compliance with infection prevention and control measures during police operations.

Police call for proper use of supplies

Ituri Provincial Police Commissioner Ngoy Sengelwa thanked MONUSCO for supporting efforts to protect officers involved in the Ebola response.

“On behalf of all police officers, I would like to express our gratitude for this significant support in the fight against the Ebola virus disease, as well as for all the other assistance we receive from MONUSCO and its partners,” he said.

He emphasised that protecting police personnel was necessary to ensure they could perform their duties without putting themselves or the communities they serve at greater risk.

Sengelwa also reported an increase in Ebola cases over the preceding two weeks in Bunia’s Bankoko neighbourhood.

He urged commanders of the beneficiary units to ensure the supplies were used appropriately and that officers consistently observed preventive measures.

Broader support for police operations

Beyond the emergency health response, MONUSCO provides the PNC in Ituri with training, technical advice and public awareness support.

Its cooperation with the police also covers joint patrols, community engagement and initiatives to prevent and address sexual and gender-based violence.

The provision of protective equipment addresses an important operational requirement during infectious disease outbreaks, when police officers help enforce public health measures and secure access for medical teams.

Integrating infection prevention supplies into security operations also supports coordination between law enforcement agencies and health authorities during outbreak containment activities.

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