Preventable diseases are rising in the DRC, notably cholera, which saw over 3,850 cases in January alone. Violence and USAID funding cuts are crippling the healthcare system, leaving millions vulnerable. Oxfam highlights severe infrastructure destruction, increasing demand for medical aid, and dire humanitarian conditions affecting 7.8 million IDPs. Immediate international response is crucial to mitigate this crisis.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), preventable diseases are surging amid a collapsing health system. Oxfam reports significant increases in cases: cholera infections rose by 326, Mpox by 269, and measles by 95 in North Kivu during the last week of February alone. This alarming trend follows over 3,850 new cholera cases and 67 deaths in January, highlighting a dire public health crisis as noted by Oxfam based on WHO data.
The ongoing violence in DRC, paired with the suspension of USAID funding, exacerbates the already fragile healthcare infrastructure, leaving millions vulnerable to diseases such as cholera. The conflict has severely impeded efforts to manage cholera and Mpox outbreaks, as functional hospitals and testing centers are scarce. Destruction of displacement camps, along with essential water and sanitation facilities, further deteriorates the situation.
Oxfam DRC Country Director, Dr. Manenji Mangundu, remarked on the catastrophic conditions: “This is turning into a full-blown humanitarian catastrophe. People are drinking water straight from contaminated rivers… When you combine this with a collapsed health system, cholera is spreading like wildfire.” He emphasized the chaotic scenario where hospitals lack supplies, and patients face financial barriers to care.
The cessation of USAID-funded programs poses significant risks to 7.8 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) facing food, water, and shelter scarcity. Regions like Kirotshe and Goma are particularly affected, with overcrowded conditions leaving families with inadequate access to clean water. With over 70 health facilities in North Kivu destroyed, the operational facilities are overwhelmed.
Kamara Wabomundu, a staff member at CCLK/Bulimba Health Zone, highlighted the collapse following funding cuts: “When our funding was cut, everything collapsed—we had no backup plan. We are asking people to pay for care when they can’t even afford their next meal.”
Dr. Mangundu further warned, “USAID was the leading donor in DRC and most aid agencies… relied on its funding. The international community needs to understand that the systems are rapidly collapsing in DRC. Every moment of inaction means more lives are being lost that could be saved.”
The closure of banks and microfinance institutions aggravates the crisis, stalling emergency aid distribution. Additionally, the shutdown of Goma and Kavumu airports increases food prices, making it unaffordable for millions. The situation calls for urgent international attention and action to prevent further humanitarian degradation in the region.
The situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo reflects a critical humanitarian crisis characterized by rampant preventable diseases and a failing healthcare system. The surging cholera cases and suspension of vital aid programs create alarming conditions for millions of internally displaced persons. Immediate action is necessary to restore healthcare capabilities and ensure access to clean water and medical care to safeguard lives at risk.
Original Source: www.oxfam.org.nz
