After 100 days of the deadliest Ebola outbreak, it can be stopped. Here’s how

Vanny Birungi, a Red Cross volunteer, speaks to people in Bunia, DRC, during a public awareness campaign 10 days after the Ebola outbreak was officially declared. Photograph: M Sawasawa/AP

Each time we travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), we go first to listen. In Bunia, we have met dozens of community representatives: survivors, women, young people, local organisations, health workers and leaders from affected areas.

Their message was direct: involve us. We know our communities. We know where families seek care, how information moves and why trust is breaking down. Give us the means to help drive the response. They were right.