A Guide to Helping African Communities Impacted by the Ebola Outbreak

An emerging Ebola outbreak in Central and East Africa has prompted an international public health response. First identified in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the outbreak has spread into neighboring Uganda, raising concerns about cross-border transmission in a region with ongoing humanitarian and healthcare challenges. 

The outbreak has had its greatest impact in eastern DRC, where healthcare systems are already under significant strain. Humanitarian organizations and public health authorities are working to contain the virus through treatment, disease surveillance, infection prevention measures, and community education efforts. 

While healthcare workers and local authorities are leading response efforts on the ground, philanthropic support can help expand access to treatment, strengthen infection prevention measures, provide critical supplies, and support community-based education efforts designed to reduce transmission and protect vulnerable populations. 

For donors looking to help, supporting established organizations with experience responding to infectious disease outbreaks can be an effective way to contribute to both immediate relief efforts and longer-term recovery. 

NPT has compiled a non-exhaustive list of nonprofits supporting communities affected by the Ebola outbreak:  
 
 
Action Against Hunger (EIN 13-3327220) is currently providing 12 health facilities with protective equipment for medical staff, as well as infection prevention and control supplies (chlorine, sprayers for disinfection, cleaning equipment, etc.). Additionally, they are lending aid through the rehabilitation of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure. 
 

CARE (EIN 13-1685039) is working in tandem with local partners to support preparedness efforts, with a focus on sharing trusted information, supporting infection prevention, and addressing the heightened risks facing women and girls in the affected areas of the DRC. 
 

Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) (EIN: 45-5257937) is working with local partners to identify needs and provide support that will have the greatest impact on those affected. The CDP’s Global Recovery Fund bolsters local organizations addressing the ongoing Ebola outbreak.  
 

Concern Worldwide US (EIN 13-3712030) is increasing access to clean water through rehabilitating and constructing water points, and delivering safer sanitation through new latrines. Local health centers will also be supported to respond through staff training, the provision of essential equipment, and other refurbishment projects, as needed. 
 

Doctors Without Borders – USA (EIN 13-3433452) seeks to provide emergency medical aid to people in crisis. They have launched a large-scale response to the Ebola crisis, mobilizing medical, logistical, and support teams along with essential supplies, with hundreds of MSF staff responding to this outbreak. 
 

Friends of the Congo (EIN 37-1516674) will use funding to support frontline defenders in the Basandja Coalition in raising awareness locally and distributing emergency Ebola Prevention Kits, including PPE, chlorine, disinfectants, soap, gloves, masks, and sanitation supplies. 
 

GlobalGiving (Ebola Crisis Relief Fund) (EIN 30‑0108263) will ensure that aid organizations on the ground in affected regions have the resources required to support communities impacted by the outbreak with emergency care and basic needs, as well as to support broader humanitarian needs and ongoing recovery throughout this crisis-affected region. 
 

IMA World Health (EIN 52-2112460) supports community-based prevention, outbreak preparedness, infection prevention and control, and frontline healthcare delivery alongside local partners and regional Ministries of Health.   
 

International Medical Corps (EIN 95-3949646) has mobilized multiple rapid response teams that include trained medical staff, infection-control specialists, case management leads and staff skilled in community engagement and supply-chain management into the DRC to address the crisis.   
 

International Rescue Committee (IRC) (EIN 13-5660870) is working to get protective equipment to health workers, while supporting risk awareness and community engagement activities aimed at building trust, strengthening community understanding, and raising awareness of prevention measures and public health risks. 
 

Save the Children (EIN 06-0726487) is providing chlorine to the health authorities for facility decontamination and therapeutic milk to a center for malnourished children and breastfeeding mothers suspected of having the Ebola virus. Additionally, they are equipping health facilities with personal protective equipment, triage units, and infection prevention and handwashing infrastructure while supporting active case detection and contact tracing in communities and health facilities.  
 

Read more about supporting disaster relief efforts on our website.