The six-year-old Ethiopian girl who survived Ebola in 2019 has been located safe in the Democratic Republic of Congo, ending a months-long disappearance that had sparked international concern. British aid organisations, including Save the Children and Oxfam, confirmed the rescue on Tuesday, describing it as a testament to cross-border cooperation in one of the world’s most volatile regions. The child, whose identity remains protected, was reportedly found in a remote village in North Kivu province, where she had been living with relatives after being taken from her home in Addis Ababa earlier this year.
Her abduction had raised fears of trafficking or forced labour, but initial assessments indicate she is physically unharmed and will be reunited with her family in Ethiopia within days. The rescue operation involved Congolese authorities working alongside UK-funded tracking teams, who followed a trail of unregistered border crossings and informal kinship networks. Dr.
Makeda Ayele, a paediatrician with the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, stated: “This child carries the genetic scars of a viral haemorrhagic fever. Her survival then and now underscores the resilience of the human body, but also the fragility of life in regions torn by conflict.” The case highlights the persistent vulnerability of Ebola survivors, who often face stigma and economic hardship long after the outbreak ends.
Post-Ebola syndrome, including joint pain and vision problems, can require lifelong care. The World Health Organization estimates that over 5,000 survivors in West Africa alone still lack adequate medical follow-up. British aid agencies have called for increased funding for survivor support programmes, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has experienced 15 Ebola outbreaks since 1976.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office pledged an additional £2 million for child protection in the region. As the girl prepares to board a flight to Addis Ababa, one diplomat remarked: “This is a small victory in a landscape of loss. We must not forget the thousands of other children who disappear quietly into the chaos of forgotten emergencies.
