In May 2026, an Ebola outbreak was confirmed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Since then, we have received numerous inquiries from our supporters worldwide — messages of care and concern that have truly touched our hearts. We want to take this opportunity to provide information about GRACE’s response to the outbreak.
Most importantly, everyone at GRACE remains safe: Our Congolese staff, the gorillas at the sanctuary, and the four female gorillas rewilded at Mt. Tshiaberimu.
While Ebola has not reached the GRACE sanctuary, the outbreak is close enough that preparedness is essential. Ebola poses a serious threat not only to people, but also to great apes, including critically endangered Grauer’s gorillas. Protecting human health is one of the most important ways we can protect gorillas. Therefore, GRACE is taking swift action to help protect the people, gorillas, and communities we serve.
Read the Mongabay article on the risks Ebola poses to great apes. The article includes insights from GRACE Science Advisor Dr. Damien Caillaud and our partners at Gorilla Doctors — and explains why rapid prevention efforts are vital to protecting vulnerable gorilla populations.
Within days of the outbreak, GRACE activated emergency protocols informed by lessons learned during the 2018 Ebola response. As the largest non-governmental organization (NGO) working in our area, GRACE is uniquely positioned to respond quickly, coordinate with local leaders and health authorities, and reach communities that trust our team.
Strengthening Protection at the Sanctuary
At the GRACE sanctuary, our team immediately increased biosecurity measures to reduce risk and keep essential operations running safely. These measures include enhanced health screening for staff, increased use of PPE, expanded handwashing and hygiene protocols, movement restrictions, additional decontamination facilities, and larger food and medical reserves.
These steps help reduce staff movement in and out of the sanctuary while ensuring the gorillas continue to receive expert daily care. Our team is also closely monitoring gorilla health, maintaining strict hygiene practices, and remaining in regular contact with local health authorities and technical advisors.
Preparedness is not a one-time effort. During the 2018 Ebola outbreak, response protocols were needed for more than two years. GRACE is preparing for the possibility that this response may also require sustained attention, supplies, and funding over many months.
Supporting Community Prevention
GRACE’s response extends beyond the sanctuary because community health and gorilla protection are deeply connected. When neighboring communities have the tools and information they need to prevent Ebola transmission, the risk to staff, gorillas in our care, and nearby wild gorilla populations is reduced.
Working alongside local health authorities, GRACE has installed handwashing stations at health centers, schools, churches, marketplaces, and other gathering places. Our team is also helping share Ebola prevention messages through trusted community outreach and local radio.
Watch a video of the GRACE Education Team sharing updates on handwashing station distribution:
The response from local communities has been overwhelmingly positive. As awareness grows, requests for additional handwashing stations, hygiene supplies, and prevention outreach continue to increase. Local leaders have also asked GRACE to help deliver urgent Ebola prevention messages, recognizing the trust our Congolese team has built through years of working in the region.
This trust matters. In moments of uncertainty, communities need accurate information from people they know. GRACE educators and local staff are helping ensure that prevention messages reach families, schools, churches, and community gathering places in ways that are clear, practical, and locally trusted.
Acting Quickly, Preparing for What Comes Next
Thanks to emergency funds and generous early support, GRACE was able to move quickly during the first phase of the response. Initial support helped strengthen sanctuary biosecurity, purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) and hygiene supplies, expand handwashing infrastructure, and secure essential food and medical supplies for staff and gorillas.
Now, GRACE is preparing for the months ahead. Ongoing preparedness will require continued investment in PPE, chlorine and disinfectants, sanitation supplies, food reserves, transportation logistics, staff support, and community prevention outreach. We anticipate several thousand dollars in monthly costs to maintain core biosecurity measures at the sanctuary, with additional needs as community requests for prevention support grow.
Every handwashing station installed, every prevention message shared, and every supply delivered helps reduce risk. This is practical, immediate work that protects people and gorillas at the same time.
Protecting Gorillas Means Protecting Communities
GRACE exists to protect critically endangered Grauer’s gorillas and the forests they call home. In eastern DRC, that mission is inseparable from the well-being of the communities who live closest to gorilla habitat.
During this outbreak, GRACE is doing what our team has always done: responding with care, coordination, and trust. We are protecting the gorillas in our care. We are supporting the staff who make that care possible. And we are standing with neighboring communities as they work to keep their families safe.
Your support helps make this response possible.
A gift to GRACE helps sustain Ebola preparedness at the sanctuary and expand prevention efforts in nearby communities, including handwashing stations, hygiene supplies, PPE, disinfectants, food reserves, and trusted community outreach.
Thank you for keeping our team, neighboring communities, and the gorillas in your thoughts during this complex time. With your support, GRACE will continue to respond with urgency, compassion, and hope.
