The organization Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) has confirmed the continued spread of cholera in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, reporting that since the beginning of the year until mid-October, more than 1,700 deaths have been recorded.
According to the organization, 20 of the country’s 26 provinces are now affected by the outbreak, warning that the disease is spreading into new health zones, including regions that had previously been spared. It noted that the deterioration of the situation is due to factors such as floods, conflicts, population displacement, and the lack of access to clean water and adequate sanitation systems. With the rainy season approaching, the risk of further spread is increasing.
Médecins Sans Frontières said cholera should now be considered a national emergency, calling for coordinated action, including the rapid provision of healthcare and vaccination, along with sustainable investments in water and sanitation infrastructure.
The epidemic continues to spread under extremely dangerous conditions, particularly in the eastern part of the country. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned of a collapse of the healthcare system in North and South Kivu. According to the UN, 85% of health facilities there lack medicines, and nearly 40% of staff have left their jobs. In North Kivu alone, more than one-third of facilities located in conflict zones have been destroyed, looted, or abandoned.
