Government Begins Paying Risk Bonuses to Ebola Response Workers

Kinshasa, July 28, 2026 - Authorities said they had begun paying risk bonuses owed to front-line workers fighting the 17th Ebola epidemic across five affected provinces, after strikes over arrears disrupted parts of the response, especially in Ituri.

The Incident Manager’s office said President Tshisekedi is closely following the response and noted Suminwa’s recent field visits.

This detail was included in the mid-to-late July DRC briefing.

More than 12,000 providers in Ituri alone-about 80% of responders-are concerned, spanning clinicians, epidemiologists, hygienists, laboratory staff, logisticians and community relays.

Payments started with teams at the Elikya treatment centre in Bunia, with file cleaning continuing to resolve disputes.

Officials urged teams to maintain operations until the outbreak is controlled, while insecurity and even attacks on some treatment centres continue to complicate the fight.