Key facts
- Attacks on burial teams are hindering the Ebola outbreak response.
- The attacks are a symptom of deep mistrust stemming from decades of conflict, displacement, and neglect.
Attacks targeting Ebola burial teams are significantly impeding efforts to control the ongoing outbreak. This violence is seen as a direct consequence of profound mistrust among communities, a mistrust cultivated over decades by persistent conflict, widespread displacement, and systemic neglect.
The ongoing attacks on those responsible for safely handling and burying the deceased are creating substantial obstacles for public health officials attempting to contain the spread of the virus. The lack of trust makes it difficult to implement essential containment measures, such as safe burials, which are critical for preventing further transmission.