Aid supplies have been rushed in to the center of Congo's Ebola outbreak where medical workers are struggling with equipment shortages, distrustful locals and armed groups. On Thursday, a white cargo plane delivered masks, gloves, boots, and medications donated by the European Union to Bunia, a northeastern town at the heart of the outbreak. The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak a public health emergency. The Congolese government has confirmed over 1,000 suspected cases and at least 220 deaths. The virus has also reached Uganda. The response faces challenges like customs delays, bad roads and weak telecommunications.

The Rwanda-backed rebels who seized a major city in eastern Congo have declared a unilateral ceasefire, citing humanitarian grounds. But there is no sign of them giving up control of Goma at the heart of a region home to trillions of dollars in mineral wealth. Monday's announcement came after the U.N. said at least 900 people died in last week's fighting between the M23 rebels and Congolese forces. The rebels were then reported to be advancing on another provincial capital, Bukavu. A rebel spokesman says they have "no intention of capturing Bukavu or other areas." There is no immediate comment from Congo's government.

Congolese security forces have tried to slow the advance of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels who say they have captured Goma after entering eastern Congo's largest city. U.N. officials reported an unspecified number of bodies on the streets. The officials said Tuesday that hospitals are overwhelmed in Goma. The regional trade and humanitarian hub is a refuge for hundreds of thousands now fleeing gunfire and shelling in the major escalation in one of Africa's longest conflicts. The U.S. is also asking its citizens to safely depart Kinshasa. The M23 rebels are one of about 100 armed groups vying for a foothold in the mineral-rich North Kivu province that includes Goma.

Residents in eastern Congo's largest city of Goma are fleeing after Rwanda-backed rebels claimed to have captured the regional hub from Congolese forces. Fighting has escalated in recent days despite calls from the U.N. Security Council for the insurgents to withdraw. Gunshots rang out across Goma overnight before dozens of rebels in military uniform early Monday morning marched into the capital of North Kivu province, which sits on the border with Rwanda. The U.N. Security Council called on the M23 rebels to immediately reverse advances. Other countries including the United States, United Kingdom and France have also condemned the rebel push.