The ministry, which serves over 300 children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, says the move is precautionary—no cases have reached the capital, and its care model has already sustained services through three months of the outbreak.
KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of the Congo — August 27, 2026 — Christ’s Hope International (CHI) announced today that its Jamique CareCenter in Kinshasa has moved to a posture of Enhanced Readiness amid the largest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s history.
As of August 25, 2026, the World Health Organization reported 5,713 confirmed infections and 2,744 deaths across the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
No confirmed or suspected Ebola case has been reported in Kinshasa or within Jamique’s health zone. In late June, however, travel-linked cases were confirmed in Tshopo province, whose capital, Kisangani, maintains near-daily flights to Kinshasa. That development crossed a threshold CHI’s DRC team had established in advance, prompting this week’s shift to Enhanced Readiness.
“Our team would rather be ready early than resourceful late,” said Jesse Martin, CEO and International Director of Christ's Hope International. “Our CarePoints are not run by people flown in when something goes wrong. They are run by people who were already there — who know these children and their families by name. That is what allows us to prepare calmly instead of reacting under pressure.”
A Track Record From This Same Outbreak
This is not CHI’s first response to this outbreak. Over the past three months, the organization suspended staff travel into affected areas of the DRC and into Uganda, while every CarePoint remained open. Enrolled children continued to receive meals, school support, medical care and discipleship throughout that period, provided entirely by local staff who remained in their communities.
Current Preparedness Measures
Under Enhanced Readiness, CHI’s DRC team is taking the following steps at the Jamique CarePoint:
- Verifying current contact details for every enrolled child and household
- Training all staff in Ebola screening and referral protocols
- Establishing an official reporting line with the Kinshasa health-zone medical officer
- Equipping the facility to a defined hygiene standard, including handwashing stations, water storage, thermometers and a 30-day reserve of supplies
CHI estimates the full cost of this preparedness effort at approximately $23,000, and is confirming itemized figures with local suppliers ahead of placing orders in early September 2026.
Part of a Broader Regional Response
The announcement follows CHI’s update three weeks earlier that Uganda, where the organization also serves communities, had been declared free of Ebola from the same regional outbreak.
How to Help
Individuals and organizations wishing to support CHI’s Ebola preparedness efforts in the DRC can make a gift at donate.christshope.org
About Christ’s Hope International
Christ’s Hope International is a Christian ministry organization serving vulnerable children and communities across seven African countries through locally led CarePoints, providing consistent access to meals, education support, medical care and discipleship. CHI’s model relies on local staff and caregivers embedded in the communities they serve, enabling continuity of care through periods of public health, economic or civil disruption.
Figures cited are as of August 25, 2026, per the World Health Organization (source), whose data reflects daily reporting from the DRC’s Centre des opérations d’urgences de santé publique (COUSP-DRC) and Ministry of Communication and Media. This fund supports preparedness, not treatment.