UN News Today 21 July 2026 |

DR Congo: Ebola outbreak continues to expand, WHO sees signs of stabilization

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), health teams are still racing to contain the fast-growing Ebola outbreak, despite ongoing insecurity in areas where the virus has taken hold. 

As of 19 July, the authorities have recorded 2,423 confirmed cases, including 967 deaths and 469 recoveries. 

With the latest, here’s Dr. Thierno Baldé from the World Health Organization (WHO):

“The outbreak has been reported in five provinces, but the province of Ituri remains the epicentre of the outbreak, accounting for more than 90 per cent of cases and also 80 per cent of deaths…Let’s be very clear, this outbreak remains ahead of us and we are still in the phase of catching up.”

In addition to Ituri, the other impacted provinces are North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele and Tshopo.

All of them are in eastern DRC where rebel militia violence has left communities – many of them displaced – in fear of conflict and vulnerable to disease.

Speaking from Bunia, the capital of Ituri province, Dr. Baldé confirmed that the Bundibugyo virus behind the Ebola outbreak is extending its reach to new areas in the eastern region.

He said that health teams have prioritized safe and dignified burials, a referral system and other measures in the areas where there is most active transmission of disease.

The UN health agency is also working to reinforce control measures along the River Congo which is a crucial transit route and source of infection transmission.

Despite the challenges, WHO has reported some encouraging signs, such as in Mongbwalu, where the outbreak was first detected.

Intensifying attacks on Gaza’s children, women and men: OHCHR

To Gaza, where intensifying attacks by the Israeli military have killed and injured dozens of Palestinians in just the last few days, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said on Tuesday.

According to the Gazan health authorities, more than 1,100 people have been killed since a ceasefire announcement in October 2025.

OHCHR spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said that many killings had happened far from the Israeli military’s “yellow line” of control which is constantly being moved westward:

“From 13 to 20 July alone, our office has recorded that the Israeli military killed at least 57 Palestinians, including six children and eight women. Among these victims, 34 were killed far away from the Israeli-imposed yellow line.”

Verification work by the human rights office has so far confirmed the killing of 283 women and children in attacks across the Gaza Strip from last October to mid-April this year.

The constant, shocking toll of long-range strikes on Ukraine – and Russia

Finally to Ukraine, where UN monitors have highlighted the increasingly deadly impact of long-range strikes on civilian areas, linked to Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

The update follows multiple attacks in recent days that have left civilians killed and injured across Ukraine, as well as in Russia. 

Under the laws of war, civilians and civilian infrastructure are strictly protected, and any deliberate attack is a war crime.

Speaking from Kyiv, Danielle Bell, Head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, reported that attacks are becoming more frequent and deadly, with civilian casualties higher by a third compared to 2025:

 “Long-range attacks are increasingly affecting densely populated urban areas that are far away from the front line. Yesterday, our team in Odessa visited several incident sites in residential areas that had been impacted, including a recreational area near Chornomorsk, in which a 16-year-old boy was killed as he and his family were just spending time together.” 

The use by Russia of short-range drones in frontline areas has also contributed to the rise in civilian casualties, Ms. Bell said. She described how civilians now dart between buildings seeking cover, in case they are targeted.

Daniel Johnson, UN News.