Public service is ultimately about people. Today, we honoured colleagues whose years of dedication, often away from the spotlight, have helped improve lives and strengthen health across the African Region. Your experience, commitment and values are a lasting asset to our Organization and continue to inspire us as we work together towards #HealthForAll. #UNDay

The Government of Nigeria has acted swiftly following the detection of an Ebola case, taking measures to protect the public and prevent further spread. WHO is working closely with the health authorities to strengthen all aspects of the response.

Today, I toured the passenger screening operations at Beach Ngobila, the vital river crossing linking #Kinshasa and #Brazzaville. I was encouraged to see how digital innovation is strengthening our ability to detect Ebola early, enhance contact tracing and prevent the spread of disease across borders. Through its advocacy for stronger preparedness and surveillance systems, @WHO is supporting the deployment of the Preparedness Data Exchange (PDX) platform, which enables faster, more reliable data collection and real-time information sharing. This allows health authorities to act swiftly when potential risks are identified and strengthens our collective capacity to prevent outbreaks. As the world's closest capital cities, Kinshasa and Brazzaville are connected by deep social, economic and cultural ties, with significant daily movement across the Congo River. Protecting communities on both sides requires coordinated action, shared responsibility and sustained investment in preparedness. I'm pleased that a similar electronic screening system will be launched in Brazzaville next week, further reinforcing cross-border collaboration and strengthening health security for communities in both countries and beyond. This is a powerful example of how WHO's advocacy, innovation and partnership are helping countries build stronger defences against public health threats, ensuring that preparedness remains our first line of protection. ---------------------------- Aujourd’hui, j’ai visité les opérations de dépistage des passagers à Beach Ngobila, un point de traversée fluviale essentiel reliant #Kinshasa à #Brazzaville. J’ai été encouragé de constater comment l’innovation numérique renforce notre capacité à détecter précocement les cas d’Ebola, à améliorer le traçage des contacts et à prévenir la propagation de la maladie au-delà des frontières. Grâce à son plaidoyer en faveur du renforcement des systèmes de préparation et de surveillance, l’@OMS soutient le déploiement de la plateforme Preparedness Data Exchange (PDX), qui permet de collecter des données plus rapidement et de manière plus fiable, tout en facilitant le partage d’informations en temps réel. Les autorités sanitaires peuvent ainsi réagir rapidement dès qu’un risque potentiel est identifié, renforçant notre capacité collective à prévenir les flambées épidémiques. Kinshasa et Brazzaville, les deux capitales les plus proches au monde, sont unies par des liens sociaux, économiques et culturels étroits, avec d’importants mouvements quotidiens de personnes de part et d’autre du fleuve Congo. Protéger les communautés des deux côtés nécessite une action coordonnée, une responsabilité partagée et des investissements durables dans la préparation aux urgences sanitaires. Je me réjouis qu’un système électronique de dépistage similaire soit mis en service à Brazzaville la semaine prochaine, renforçant davantage la collaboration transfrontalière et la sécurité sanitaire des populations des deux pays et au-delà. C’est un exemple concret de la manière dont le plaidoyer de l’OMS, l’innovation et les partenariats aident les pays à mieux se protéger contre les menaces pour la santé publique, en faisant de la préparation notre première ligne de défense. ---------------------------- Hoje, visitei as operações de rastreio de passageiros em Beach Ngobila, uma importante passagem fluvial que liga #Kinshasa a #Brazzaville. Foi encorajador ver como a inovação digital está a reforçar a nossa capacidade de detetar precocemente casos de Ébola, melhorar o rastreio de contactos e prevenir a propagação da doença através das fronteiras. Através do seu trabalho de advocacia em prol do reforço dos sistemas de preparação e vigilância, a @WHO está a apoiar a implementação da plataforma Preparedness Data Exchange (PDX), que permite recolher dados de forma mais rápida e fiável, bem como partilhar informações em tempo real. Isto permite que as autoridades sanitárias ajam rapidamente quando são identificados potenciais riscos e reforça a nossa capacidade coletiva de prevenir surtos. Kinshasa e Brazzaville, as capitais mais próximas do mundo, estão ligadas por fortes laços sociais, económicos e culturais, com um fluxo significativo de pessoas que atravessam diariamente o rio Congo. Proteger as comunidades de ambos os lados exige uma ação coordenada, responsabilidade partilhada e investimento contínuo na preparação. Congratulo-me com o facto de um sistema eletrónico de rastreio semelhante entrar em funcionamento em Brazzaville na próxima semana, reforçando ainda mais a colaboração transfronteiriça e a segurança sanitária das comunidades dos dois países e para além das suas fronteiras. Este é um exemplo concreto de como a ação de advocacia da OMS, a inovação e as parcerias estão a ajudar os países a reforçar a sua proteção contra as ameaças à saúde pública, garantindo que a preparação continue a ser a nossa primeira linha de defesa.

In Beni, I held important and fruitful discussions with members of the Provincial Assembly on strengthening #Ebola response in #DRC. Local leaders are essential to building trust, community ownership and collective action. With around two-thirds of deaths occurring at home, working closely with the communities is critical to encouraging early care-seeking, which improves the chances of Ebola survival. I thank the Assembly members for sharing their concerns and reaffirming their commitment to working together to protect communities and end this outbreak.

Yesterday in Beni, North Kivu, alongside Provincial Minister of Health Madam Prisca Luanda and National Incident Manager Professor Steve Ahuka, we launched ERVEBO vaccination under the compassionate-use framework. Starting with health workers and frontline responders, North Kivu joins the national effort launched in Kisangani on 27 August, with more than 9,000 frontline workers already vaccinated. ERVEBO is a safe vaccine that has saved many lives in previous Ebola outbreaks in DRC. While developed against Zaire ebolavirus and not Bundibugyo virus, laboratory data suggest it may offer some cross-protection. This was my fourth visit to eastern DRC since the outbreak began. I thank the Government of DRC for its leadership and guidance, and all partners working alongside WHO in this response. Outbreaks are defeated not only by vaccines, but by courage, solidarity and the dedication of frontline workers. Together, we protect lives. -------------------------------- Hier à Beni, au Nord-Kivu, aux côtés de la Ministre Provinciale de la Santé, Mme Prisca Luanda, et du Gestionnaire National d'Incident, le Professeur Steve Ahuka, nous avons lancé la vaccination ERVEBO dans le cadre de son utilisation compassionnelle. En commençant par les agents de santé et les intervenants de première ligne, le Nord-Kivu rejoint l'effort national lancé à Kisangani le 27 août, avec déjà plus de 9 000 agents vaccinés. ERVEBO est un vaccin sûr qui a sauvé de nombreuses vies lors des précédentes flambées d'Ebola en RDC. Bien qu'il ait été développé contre l'Ebolavirus Zaïre et non contre le virus Bundibugyo, les données de laboratoire suggèrent une possible protection croisée. Il s'agissait de ma quatrième visite dans l'Est de la RDC depuis le début de la flambée. Je remercie le Gouvernement de la RDC pour son leadership et son orientation, ainsi que tous les partenaires qui travaillent aux côtés de l'OMS dans cette riposte. Les épidémies ne sont pas vaincues par les vaccins seuls, mais aussi par le courage, la solidarité et l'engagement des personnels de première ligne. Ensemble, nous sauvons des vies. ------------------------------- Ontem, em Beni, no Kivu do Norte, juntamente com a Ministra Provincial da Saúde, Sra. Prisca Luanda, e o Gestor Nacional do Incidente, Professor Steve Ahuka, lançámos a vacinação com ERVEBO no âmbito do uso compassivo. Começando pelos profissionais de saúde e trabalhadores da linha da frente, o Kivu do Norte junta-se ao esforço nacional iniciado em Kisangani a 27 de agosto, com mais de 9.000 profissionais já vacinados. A ERVEBO é uma vacina segura que já salvou muitas vidas em surtos anteriores de Ebola na RDC. Embora tenha sido desenvolvida contra o ebolavírus Zaire e não contra o vírus Bundibugyo, dados laboratoriais sugerem alguma proteção cruzada. Esta foi a minha quarta visita ao leste da RDC desde o início do surto. Agradeço ao Governo da RDC pela sua liderança e orientação, bem como a todos os parceiros que trabalham ao lado da OMS nesta resposta. Os surtos não são derrotados apenas por vacinas, mas também pela coragem, solidariedade e dedicação dos profissionais da linha da frente. Juntos, protegemos vidas.

Today in Beni, North Kivu, we launched Ervebo vaccination, marking an important milestone in the #Ebola response. While the vaccine is proven to work against Ebola virus (Zaire species), its effectiveness against Bundibugyo virus is being studied. I commend the health workers, community leaders and survivors driving this response forward. @WHO remains committed to supporting efforts to end this outbreak.

Today, I handed over more than 3 tonnes of medical supplies and equipment, along with motorbikes, to reinforce the #Ebola response in the #DRC. Sincere thanks to our financial partners for their support and solidarity with the people of DRC at this critical time.

Arrived in #Beni, North Kivu today, returning to the frontlines of #Ebola response to listen to teams, learn from their experiences, encourage their work and support their efforts alongside partners and health authorities. Huge strides have been made across all areas of the response in recent months, but transmission remains high and the outbreak continues to spread. We must sustain and scale up the response to interrupt transmission and bring the outbreak under control.