A group of young activists from the Butsili health zone in Beni, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, have pledged to fight misinformation about Ebola. The pledge was made after a visit to the Ebola treatment center at the Beni General Reference Hospital on September 25, 2026. The visit was organized by the Communication Risk and Community Engagement (Crec) pillar with support from the International Medical Corp (IMC) NGO.
The young activists, who are leaders of citizen movements and youth associations, acknowledged that misinformation and rumors are fueling fear, mistrust, and bad practices in their community. They recognized the need to have reliable information to share with their communities. Olivier Paluku, speaking on behalf of the group, stated that they want to be relays of reliable information within their communities.
The visit to the Ebola treatment center aimed to educate the young leaders about the functioning of the center and to gather information from professionals. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to engage young people in the fight against Ebola. By being informed, the young leaders aim to encourage good practices and collaborate with Ebola response actors to protect their families and friends.
The young leaders acknowledged that the fight against Ebola cannot be won solely in treatment centers. They emphasized that it also requires efforts in neighborhoods, families, associations, and among young people. They launched a campaign with the slogan "Informed youth equals a community better protected against misinformation, let's choose facts."
The campaign seeks to encourage young people to make informed choices and adopt behaviors that promote prevention. By working together, the young leaders hope to reduce the spread of misinformation and promote a culture of trust and cooperation. The Crec pillar and IMC NGO provided support for the initiative.
The problem of misinformation about Ebola is significant in the Beni region. Misinformation and rumors have contributed to resistance against Ebola response efforts. By engaging young people in the fight against misinformation, the initiative aims to promote a more informed and responsive community.
The commitment of the young activists from the Butsili health zone is a positive step towards promoting a culture of trust and cooperation in the fight against Ebola. With the support of organizations like Crec and IMC, the young leaders are poised to make a positive impact in their community.
Key points
- Young activists in Beni, DR Congo, commit to fighting misinformation on Ebola
- The initiative aims to promote a culture of trust and cooperation in the fight against Ebola
- The campaign seeks to encourage young people to make informed choices and adopt behaviors that promote prevention
