A health worker wearing a mask is seen at the general reference hospital in Rwampara in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, on May 16, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

Escalating violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) undermines Ebola response, raising the risk of further spread across the eastern part of the country, UN humanitarians warned Friday.

In North Kivu province, an armed attack in Beni territory on Friday killed at least five civilians, said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), citing local civil society.

Elsewhere in the province, renewed clashes in Masisi territory have triggered further displacement and forced humanitarian organizations to restrict their movements in several areas. This significantly limits access to people in need and disrupts Ebola response activities, said OCHA.

In South Kivu province, hostilities in Kabare territory in the past three days have also resulted in civilian casualties and new displacement. The hostilities have forced the World Food Programme and its partners to delay planned food distribution in the affected areas, said the office.

Meanwhile, in Ituri province, a health worker in Mongbwalu health zone, which is at the center of the outbreak, was taken by armed group elements on Monday and forced to perform a post-mortem procedure without protective equipment. The incident highlights the serious risks faced by front-line health workers, said OCHA.

On Thursday, DRC health authorities reported 41 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 676 across the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.

Despite the challenges, the United Nations and its humanitarian partners, together with local communities, continue efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak, said OCHA.

"The United Nations calls on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and to ensure safe, sustained and unhindered access for medical and humanitarian teams," said OCHA. "It is essential that surveillance, contact tracing, transport of laboratory samples, medical referrals, emergency deployments and safe and dignified burials can continue without interruption."