BUKAVU, Democratic Republic of the Congo — As health authorities work to contain a growing Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, World Central Kitchen (WCK) is expanding our network of local partners to help ensure vulnerable communities continue to receive access to nutritious meals.

The expansion comes as eastern DRC faces overlapping challenges, including conflict, displacement, food insecurity, and renewed public health concerns following the declaration of a new Ebola outbreak. According to health officials, more than 1,000 suspected Ebola cases and hundreds of deaths have been reported, with the outbreak concentrated in the country’s eastern provinces.

For more than six months, WCK has worked alongside Panzi Hospital to provide over 380,000 nourishing meals to patients, families and staff in South Kivu. Now, WCK is expanding our reach through a new partnership with Good News for Africa (GNFA), a Congolese nonprofit organization serving orphaned and vulnerable children in Bukavu and surrounding communities.

Founded to support children affected by conflict, disease, and displacement, GNFA currently provides shelter, education, healthcare, and daily meals to 25 orphaned children between the ages of 5 and 11. Through the partnership, WCK and GNFA are supporting the preparation and distribution of fresh meals for more than 3,000 children and families in Bukavu and Kalehe in South Kivu Province. 

As the region faces the growing threat of Ebola, WCK and its local partners are taking additional steps to ensure that food assistance can continue safely. Alongside providing PPE, WCK is supporting staff training, strengthening hygiene and sanitation protocols, and adapting meal distribution sites with additional handwashing and cleaning stations. These measures are designed to help protect both frontline teams and the families they serve while ensuring communities continue to receive reliable access to nutritious meals during a time of heightened vulnerability.

Didier Balagizi, founder of Good News for Africa, says: 

“As the region confronts the ongoing Ebola outbreak, ensuring access to nutritious food is more critical than ever. Good News for Africa is honored to partner with World Central Kitchen. By combining WCK’s extensive experience with our roots in the local community, we can reach children and families who need support most. Together, we are providing not only meals, but also hope, stability, and a sense of belonging during a challenging time.”

The partnership reflects WCK’s continued commitment to supporting locally led organizations that understand the needs of their communities and can respond quickly during crises.

Chef José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen, says: 

“When disease spreads, when conflict forces families from their homes, when children lose everything, a plate of food becomes more than a meal—it becomes a sign of hope. The answer is never to wait when people face so many challenges. The answer is to cook, to feed people, and to stand beside the boots on the ground: local organizations already doing amazing work. Local partners know their communities, understand the problems, and are there long after the headlines disappear. That’s why we work so closely with our friends at Panzi Hospital and Good News for Africa.”

Beyond meeting immediate nutritional needs, GNFA’s work focuses on creating stability and dignity for children who have lost parents and caregivers. Children live together in a shared home environment, attend school, receive medical care, and participate in activities designed to help them heal and thrive despite ongoing instability.

As eastern DRC confronts another public health emergency, WCK and its partners continue to provide meals that support both immediate survival and long-term community resilience.

For more information or media enquiries, please contact:  
Roberta Alves, Director of Media Relations at ralves@worldcentralkitchen.org or +1 202.400.7483
Our full media team is reachable at press@wck.org