photo credit: AP, Dirole Lotsima Dieudonne

Ebola is spreading through eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and it’s now the fastest-growing Ebola epidemic on record, as the rare and fatal Bundibuyo strain threatens millions.

7.8m people are displaced in the DRC and the majority of these displaced communities are found in the Eastern Region, where the virus is taking hold.

There have now been at least 5,200 Ebola cases and more than 2,000 deaths. But the World Health Organisation (WHO) claims that the Ebola outbreak number is much larger than reported – as estimated two to four times larger than official government figures.

We’ve just launched a $15,000 matchfund for our Ebola appeal. Every donation you give today will be doubled.

Photo credit: AP, Moses Sawasawa

What has been happening in the DRC?

Last year, escalating violence in the eastern DRC broke out and triggered large-scale displacement. Armed groups have been fighting central authorities for power and control over the mineral-rich east part of the country for almost three decades.

The DRC hasn’t had the resources to respond to this outbreak due to conflict, which has increased the impact of both the Ebola outbreak and the humanitarian crisis.

Together, we must do everything in our power to stop the further spread of this fatal strain of Ebola.

What is Ebola?

Ebola is a rare but deadly disease caused by a virus. It takes 2 to 21 days for symptoms to appear, anything from a headache to a fever.

It spreads from one person to another by contact with infected bodily fluids like blood or vomit, the average Ebola case fatality rate being around 50%. Depending on access to care, this could be much higher.

Right now, 1 in 4 deaths has been a child. Parents are living in fear, trying to shield their children from what is almost certainly a death sentence.

IS THERE A CURE?

No. While vaccines and treatments exist for some Ebola strains, the Bundibugyo strain that currently threatens millions, does not have an approved vaccine.

The outbreak is moving fast, especially in areas where there is limited access to clean water and medical care. That’s why resources to contain the virus, detect it early, and stop the spread is critical.

photo credit: AP, Dirole Lotsima Dieudonne

Rise, a festival elevating the voices of displaced youth, powered by Choose Love.

Rise is a global two-day digital festival led by displaced young people, bringing together art, storytelling, advocacy, technology and global solidarity. Created with youth leaders from Choose Love’s GLORY (Global Leadership & Organising by Refugee Youth) programme, Rise is a space where displaced young people are not spoken for, but heard, celebrated and recognised as leaders shaping the future.

Across two high-energy days, the festival will feature powerful conversations, practical workshops, film screenings, creative performances and moments of connection between displaced youth, community organisers, artists, refugee-supporting organisations, policymakers and allies around the world.

Rise is more than an online event. It is a global space to share ideas, build skills, grow coalitions and imagine what justice, safety and belonging can look like when those closest to the issues are given the microphone.

Why we’re putting on Rise

Rise exists because displaced young people are too often spoken about, rather than recognised as leaders. Created and shaped by displaced youth, the festival brings people together to share stories, build skills, celebrate arts and culture, and connect across borders, growing coalitions between young people, organisations, artists, advocates, policymakers and allies.

Rise is for anyone who believes displaced young people should be heard, supported and recognised as leaders in shaping the future.

The festival is open to people aged 18 and over, and we especially welcome:

• Displaced young people and young people with lived experience of migration
• Refugee-supporting organisations and community groups
• People working across the refugee, migration and humanitarian sectors
• Community organisers, campaigners and activists
• Artists, storytellers, cultural workers and creatives
• Elected representatives, policymakers and people working in public institutions
• Allies who want to listen, learn, connect and take meaningful action alongside displaced youth

What you can expect

Across two days, Rise will bring together powerful conversations, practical workshops, film screenings, creative performances, Q&As and moments of connection.

You can expect a lively, thoughtful and welcoming programme shaped by displaced youth leaders and joined by artists, organisers, advocates, practitioners, policymakers and allies from around the world.

Some sessions will invite you to listen, reflect and learn. Others will give you space to ask questions, share ideas and think about how you can support displaced youth leadership in your own community, organisation or area of work.

What you need to bring 

You do not need to prepare anything in advance. Just bring your curiosity, openness and willingness to listen, learn and connect.

Some sessions will include Q&As and interactive moments, so you may find it helpful to have a pen and paper nearby to jot down reflections, questions or ideas.

Most importantly, come with energy, care and a commitment to being part of a space led by displaced young people.

FAQs

photo credit: Tom Nicholson

For more than three years, Sudanese people have been living through the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Families are facing horrific violence, famine, and unimaginable suffering. It is now essentially a war on civilians. 

As this crisis continues, the world has looked away, leaving the people of Sudan in desperate need. With limited access to international aid organisations – incredible local organisations, including our partners – have been supporting their communities through this unimaginable horror. They are innovative, fast and responsive to the needs on the ground, but they need more support. 

At Choose Love, we work directly with local, community-led organisations. We provide fast, flexible grants, making sure our partners have the resources they need to support their communities.

Since 2023, we’ve granted over £314,000 via 16 grants to our partners in Sudan. But right now, our partners require more support as an estimated 13 million children are facing acute food insecurity and 14 areas across Sudan remain on the brink of famine.

And as hunger deepens, supporting our partners directly remains one of the most effective ways to reach people quickly.

What started the crisis in Sudan?

Following the overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir in 2019, Sudan endured years of political instability. A short-lived successful civilian uprising was overthrown by a military Coup in 2021. In 2023, tensions between the two leading military factions the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and paramilitaries of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted into violent conflict. Both factions refused to relinquish power to a civilian-led government. The conflict quickly spread from the capital city Khartoum to the rest of the country, with civilians paying the highest price.

As the conflict continues and worsens in some areas, people are arriving to displacement camps without enough food to feed their families, women are giving birth without the right care available, and the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war has increased across the country.

This is why our partners who provide food, medical aid and cash assistance in Sudan and in neighbouring countries are so important. We currently work with 7 Sudanese-led organisations including an organisation in Chad providing food, medicine, cash assistance and essential supplies.

Meet SAPA and Hope & Haven for Refugees

Both organisations help Sudanese people in different ways, in different countries. Showing the scale of displacement and the humanitarian aid required. 

Our partner Sudanese American Physicians Association (SAPA) is a Sudanese-led organisation providing critical medical aid and healthcare services, supporting millions of people in Sudan. 

With grants and other support from Choose Love, SAPA is able to run health facilities that thousands of families rely on. They are helping millions of people access treatment, maternal healthcare and nutrition support, during a time they are desperately needed.

Our partner Hope & Haven For Refugees are providing food to displaced Sudanese communities living in Chad. They’ve started child-focused food centres to make sure that children in particular are able to access food and stave off famine.

Since last year, Hope & Haven For Refugees have been distributing two meals a day to 1,000 refugee children. They also help Sudanese people in Chad access healthcare, education and community support. Their centre has become a place of dignity, care, and emotional support.

What can I do to help?

The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is severe. And organisations like SAPA and Hope & Haven For Refugees are the only way to get the Sudanese people what they need: they know the people, they know the land and they know who needs what. 

Since the conflict escalation in 2023, Choose Love has worked with over 13 partners in Sudan and neighbouring countries carrying out life saving support. But it’s only possible because of people like you. 

So every donation really does help. At Choose Love, we work by channeling the support from people like you, who care about the crisis in Sudan. Children can access meals, mothers and babies can receive vital medical care, and families can get the support they need to survive and rebuild.

Find our more about the impact we’re helping local organisations to make in Sudan.

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