Ebola border closure cuts off vital trade lifeline between DRC's Goma and Rwanda
Restrictions on border crossings imposed because of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo have disrupted goods and daily incomes at one of the busiest crossings between Goma and Rwanda. Health officials defend the measures as necessary to break the chain of transmission, while traders say their earnings have fallen sharply.
Health screening and limited-crossing rules at the Petite Barrière and Grande Barrière checkpoints between Goma and Rwanda, imposed because of the continuing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, have disrupted what is one of the region's largest daily trade flows.
Congolese and Rwandan health authorities said the restrictions are essential to strengthen contact tracing and break the chain of transmission. The World Health Organization is continuing its field coordination in the area; checkpoint screening identified more than 60 suspected contacts over the past three days.
Traders in Goma's vegetable, fish and textile markets say crossings have narrowed and incomes have halved. The WHO and OCHA have appealed to donors for an emergency food and cash-assistance programme for the more than 50,000 families dependent on the crossing.
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