More than 1,900 children have lost or been separated from one or both parents or caregivers to Ebola across eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo since the outbreak was declared in May, UNICEF said in an October 6 press release. Of these, 1,581 were identified in Ituri and 322 in North Kivu as of September 28. UNICEF said the real figures are likely higher, as they cover only areas where it works with the Provincial Division of Social Affairs.

A further 214 children living and working on the streets of Bunia were identified as needing protection. UNICEF said children make up over one in four confirmed cases but roughly one in three deaths; as of September 29, at least 2,076 children had been confirmed with Ebola and at least 1,162 had died, based on its analysis of Ministry of Health data where age was recorded. Seven in ten children under five with confirmed Ebola have died, up from six in ten weeks earlier. Nationally, more than 8,224 cases and 3,982 deaths had been confirmed across seven provinces as of September 29.

UNICEF said it supports 12 nurseries near Ebola Treatment Centres in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu and has provided family tracing, reunification and alternative care. It is seeking US$150.8 million for its Ebola response; the DRC response alone needs US$113.4 million, of which US$40.1 million has been mobilized.