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"Residents in Bunia on Friday urged the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to regulate the prices of disinfectants and protective equipment, such as face masks, as the country intensifies its response to fight Ebola. "[People] are seizing the opportunity to raise the prices of certain goods that appear to be protective equipment – such as face masks, hand sanitiser and others – and prices have skyrocketed in no time at all," stated Jean-Marie Mbezagri, Coordinator of Ituri's Civil Society Group. Residents have been advised to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), leading to a sharp increase in demand and prices, while many are calling on the government to ensure supplies remain affordable. "This is a matter of urgency, […] the government needs to draw up a contingency plan to try to meet the population’s expectations. […] to try to provide and distribute free of charge what is needed, such as hand sanitiser and other items," added Mbezagri. "Authorities must come to our aid so that the prices of face masks and disinfectants come down. We are going through a difficult period where the risk of infection is high," shared market vendor Mamu Zainabu, adding that since the outbreak, the price of face masks had doubled from 1,000 Congolese francs (€0.38) to 2,000 Congolese francs (€0.75). As the population intensifies measures to contain the spread of the disease, the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Friday raised the national risk assessment for the country to 'very high'. So far, nearly 750 suspected cases and 177 Ebola-related deaths have been reported, according to the WHO. The outbreak has largely affected the northeastern Ituri Province, with emerging cases also being reported in North and South Kivu provinces."
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