When communities resist: The critical role of risk communication and community engagement in the 2026 Ebola outbreak response

The ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda has highlighted a persistent but often underappreciated challenge in outbreak response: disease control cannot succeed without community trust. Reports of attacks on Ebola treatment centres, hostility toward health workers and burial teams, and the escape of suspected patients from treatment facilities demonstrate how fear and mistrust can undermine outbreak control efforts. Drawing on lessons from previous Ebola outbreaks, this commentary argues that Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) should be recognised as a core public health intervention rather than a supporting activity. Sustained investment in trust-building, community participation, social science expertise, and community feedback systems is essential for effective outbreak preparedness and response. In Ebola response, trust is not merely a communication objective; it is a lifesaving intervention.