Compounding Crises: The Ebola Outbreak and Conflict in Eastern DRC with Dr. Craig Spencer, Julien Harneis, and Mvemba Dizolele

The Ebola outbreak surging throughout eastern Congo could be the largest in history and one of the most challenging to defeat. Ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, significant U.S. aid cuts, and overextended healthcare systems are complicating efforts to respond and contain the disease. Worse, this outbreak is fueled by a strain of Ebola–the Bundibugyo species– that does not have an approved vaccine to treat. In this episode, we learn from Dr. Craig Spencer about how Ebola spreads and the factors fueling the current Bundibugyo outbreak. He shares his extensive experience treating patients during previous Ebola outbreaks and describes the ramifications of the United States' retreat from its leadership in global health. We then hear from UN Senior Ebola Coordinator Julien Harneis who is on the ground in eastern Congo. He talks about what he's seeing in affected communities and what is needed to end the outbreak. To round the episode, we sit down with Mvemba Dizolele who delves into the complex interplay between governance challenges, public health, and the legacy of conflict in eastern Congo and how these dynamics are impacting the international response today. Timed Takeaways: [5:53] Ebola 101: understanding the disease's transmission and symptoms [7:49] A survivor's perspective on Ebola and the importance of quality healthcare [15:12] Unpacking the current outbreak: tackling the Bundibugyo virus, Ebola response challenges in DRC, and the importance of U.S. leadership [33:58] Dispatch from Bunia: On the ground with UN's Senior Ebola Coordinator Julien Harneis [45:02] Understanding the context: past and present conflicts and governance challenges in eastern Congo [51:15] The role of trust and good governance in mounting an effective Ebola response [59:53] Prospects for a humanitarian ceasefire and the United States' role in ending the conflict [1:08:53] Roundup: Displacement in the news this week Mentioned in This Episode: DR Congo neighbors boost preparedness as Ebola cases surge - DW DRC – Internal Displacement Overview 2026 - IOM I Survived Ebola. This Is What Scares Me Most About This Outbreak. - New York Times Opinion: This Could Be the Worst Ebola Outbreak in History - New York Times Musk says work to stop Ebola was accidentally cut but restored. Experts raise doubts - NPR US, Congo Ebola Travel Restrictions May Hamper Humanitarian Aid Response - Bloomberg The President's Inbox Recap: Conflict in Eastern Congo - Council on Foreign Relations How Rebels in Congo Could Use Ebola to Consolidate Their Power - New York Times Rwanda–DRC Peace Deal: Trump Owns It. Now What? - Just Security Refugees International Calls for Full and Independent Investigations into Killings of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal - Refugees International Refugees International Calls for Renewed Aid and Rescue Efforts Amid Latest Rohingya Boat Tragedy - Refugees International Lucky Karim's Interview with Al Jazeera – Al Jazeera Urgent: Congress Must Act Now to Protect Haitian TPS Holders in our Community - Refugees International If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and consider a donation to support our work at https://give.refugeesinternational.org/a/forcedfromhome For more show episodes, visit https://refugeesinternational.org/forced-from-home-podcast Thoughts or suggestions? Get in touch with our team at ri@refugeesinternational.org Subscribe with us wherever you get your podcasts and follow Refugees International on social media @refugeesintl (Twitter/Instagram/Threads) and Refugees International (LinkedIn/Facebook/YouTube). You can also follow Jeremy on Twitter at @JeremyKonyndyk. This episode of "Forced from Home" was produced by Refugees International. Our technical director and sound designer is Joshua Suhy. Our executive producer is Madison Cullinan. The show's production team also includes Sarah Sheffer. Our music is composed by Richard Adam Keyworth from Sound Pocket Music. And special thanks to Priscilla Lecomte and Abdullahi Halakhe.