Two Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) Red Cross volunteers were fatally attacked by unidentified armed men while on a mission to improve access to drinking water in South Kivu province. The organization condemned the killings, emphasizing that attacks on humanitarian workers endanger vital assistance to civilians. This incident follows a prior attack on Red Cross volunteers carrying out burials to contain an Ebola outbreak, underscoring the risks faced by aid personnel amidst the country’s instability and its 17th recorded Ebola outbreak.

• Two DR Congo Red Cross volunteers were killed on June 16 in South Kivu province.
• The volunteers were attacked by unidentified armed men while working on a project to improve access to clean drinking water.
• The DR Congo Red Cross stated that attacks on humanitarian workers threaten life-saving assistance for civilians.
• The organization urged all parties to respect and protect aid personnel.
• This incident is not isolated, as Red Cross volunteers were previously injured in an attack while conducting burials during an Ebola outbreak.
• The DR Congo is grappling with instability, including M23 rebel activity and its 17th Ebola outbreak, which has resulted in over 1,155 confirmed cases and 304 deaths as of June 24.