A growing Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is putting hundreds of thousands of displaced people at greater risk, with the United Nations warning that overcrowded camps and poor access to basic services could speed up the spread of the deadly disease.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said confirmed Ebola cases have been recorded in at least 16 displacement sites in Ituri Province, the centre of the latest outbreak.
"These sites host more than 270,000 displaced people, with overcrowding and limited access to basic services increasing the risk of disease transmission," OCHA said in a statement.
The agency said it is working with humanitarian partners to reduce the risk of infections by setting up handwashing stations and engaging communities on Ebola prevention measures.
The outbreak has spread beyond Ituri, with confirmed cases also reported in four other provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as neighbouring Uganda.
According to the World Health Organization, the country has recorded 2,344 confirmed Ebola cases, including 930 deaths. More than 460 patients have recovered, while another 192 cases remain under investigation.
The current outbreak is now the third-largest Ebola epidemic ever recorded.
The Democratic Republic of Congo declared its 17th Ebola outbreak on May 15 after several people died in Ituri, a mineral-rich province that has for years been affected by armed violence and insecurity.
As the outbreak continues, OCHA warned that humanitarian efforts are struggling to keep up with the growing needs.
"Needs continue to outpace available resources," OCHA warned.
The agency appealed for more international support to sustain the Ebola response and provide life-saving aid to displaced families.
It urged the global community to step up assistance for communities "already facing years of conflict, displacement and deteriorating living conditions", it said.
Health officials have also raised concern over the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which is responsible for the current outbreak, noting that there are no approved vaccines or treatments for the rare virus.