In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, special burial rules for Ebola victims have sparked a wave of discontent among the local population. Relatives of the deceased are protesting against the ban on traditional funeral rites, and in some cases, have even set fire to medical facilities. This was reported by Yle, according to UNN.
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To prevent the spread of the virus, special teams in protective suits collect the bodies of the deceased, perform disinfection, and carry out burials according to strict sanitary protocols. Such measures differ significantly from traditional funerals, during which relatives personally wash, dress, and see off the deceased.
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According to Manenji Mangundu, director of the humanitarian organization Oxfam in Congo, customary rites pose a serious danger during an Ebola outbreak, as the virus is transmitted through contact with the bodily fluids of infected and deceased individuals.
Attacks on medical centers complicate the fight against the outbreak
Medics and humanitarian workers report that they are forced to fight not only the disease but also the mistrust of the population. In some areas, relatives have attempted to take bodies from isolation centers, and several Ebola treatment clinics have been subjected to attacks and arson.
International humanitarian organizations emphasize that active cooperation from local communities is essential to contain the outbreak. Specialists also suggest involving anthropologists and cultural experts to adapt safety measures to local traditions and reduce tension among the population.
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