Epidemics Surge Amid Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo

As violence and instability escalate in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the country is grappling with a significant rise in disease epidemics, primarily measles and cholera. As of July 2025, over 36,150 suspected measles cases and 565 related deaths were reported across almost all provinces, while cholera has affected 33,864 individuals, resulting in 757 fatalities. These alarming statistics come at a time when international humanitarian aid is being reduced, raising concerns over the DRC's capacity to effectively respond to these public health crises.

The humanitarian situation has deteriorated sharply, as highlighted by Emmanuel Lampaert, the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) representative in the DRC. “Everywhere, our teams are facing the same situation. Everything is lacking. And outbreaks are multiplying,” he stated, underscoring the acute shortage of vaccines and medical supplies needed to combat these epidemics.

In response to the escalating health threats, MSF has initiated over 20 emergency interventions in the first half of 2025, aiming to support the Ministry of Health in managing the outbreaks. Their efforts have successfully vaccinated over 437,000 children against measles and treated more than 5,430 patients suffering from the disease. However, the challenges remain formidable. In areas like Businga, North Ubangi province, logistical issues such as the lack of electricity for vaccine refrigeration and inadequate transportation facilities have severely hampered vaccination efforts.

Dr. Thomas Holibanga, head of MSF's emergency response in Businga, explained, “We therefore had to do everything we could to guarantee the cold chain and transport the vaccines to areas sometimes located more than 180 kilometers from the zone's central office.” The loss of crucial infrastructure due to ongoing conflict complicates these logistics further.

The cholera outbreak in Lomera, South Kivu, is exacerbated by poor hygiene conditions, which facilitate the disease's spread. Dr. Luiza Suarez, MSF medical coordinator in South Kivu, emphasized the need for sustainable investments in access to clean drinking water and waste management systems to prevent future outbreaks. “Without sustainable investment in access to drinking water and the implementation of an effective waste management system, cholera will continue to wreak havoc,” she warned.

Insecurity and ongoing conflict in eastern DRC complicate the delivery of medical supplies and vaccines. In regions like North Kivu, MSF vaccination campaigns have been delayed due to fighting, while the closure of Bukavu and Goma airports has hindered the transport of vaccines from Kinshasa. Lampaert stated, “We call on political and administrative authorities, as well as international partners, to do everything in their power to mitigate the risk of the situation deteriorating further.”

With international humanitarian funding facing sharp reductions, the future of health care in the DRC remains uncertain. The pleas from MSF for immediate action underscore the urgency of addressing both the public health crises and the underlying conflict that fuels these epidemics. Failure to act could lead to a further deterioration of the epidemiological situation, putting countless lives at risk. As the DRC navigates this complex landscape of conflict and health crises, the need for comprehensive responses and international support has never been more critical.