Humanitarian crisis deepens in DR Congo as preventable diseases surge amid conflict and aid cuts
Preventable diseases are sweeping through the Democratic Republic of Congo, with cholera cases increasing by 326, mpox by 269, and measles by 95 in North Kivu alone during the last week of February. In January, cholera cases more than doubled to over 3,850, with 67 deaths—three times higher than the previous month, according to Oxfam’s calculations based on WHO data.
The situation has been worsened by ongoing conflict in the eastern region and the suspension of USAID support, which has severely impacted the fragile health system, leaving millions vulnerable to these diseases. Cholera has become rampant, compounded by the destruction of displacement camps, vital water and sanitation infrastructure, and the lack of functional hospitals and testing centers.
“This is turning into a full-blown humanitarian catastrophe. People are drinking water straight from contaminated rivers and springs because water tanks and sanitation facilities have been destroyed. When you combine this with a collapsed health system, cholera is spreading like wildfire,” said Dr. Manenji Mangundu, Oxfam’s DRC Country Director.
The new U.S. administration, led by President Donald Trump, introduced stringent measures that included cutting aid to developing nations, creating an immediate threat to the 7.8 million internally displaced people (IDPs) in the DR Congo, who are already struggling to find food, water, and shelter.
The worst-affected areas include Kirotshe and Goma, where displaced families in overcrowded conditions have little to no access to clean water. Over 70 health facilities and testing centers in North Kivu have been completely destroyed, and the few that remain open are overwhelmed by multiple outbreaks of preventable diseases.
“Our hospital was 100 percent dependent on humanitarian support,” said Kamara Wabomundu, a staff member at the CCLK/Bulimba Health Zone Central Office, an Oxfam partner. “When our funding was cut, everything collapsed—we had no backup plan. Neither the hospitals nor the communities were prepared. We are asking people to pay for care when they can’t even afford their next meal,” he added.
The situation has been further exacerbated by the closure of banks and microfinance institutions, which has paralyzed the distribution of emergency aid, while the shutdown of Goma and Kavumu airports has led to soaring food prices, making it unaffordable for millions.
