Sign in Subscribe
Cholera

Cholera Outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo: Scale of Crisis Requires Urgent Mobilization

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing a rapidly spreading cholera outbreak, with 20 of its 26 provinces affected. Since January 2025, over 58,000 suspected cases and 1,700 deaths have been recorded. The country's healthcare system is ill-equipped to respond to the scale of the crisis, and immediate mobilization of national authorities, humanitarian agencies, and international partners is essential to contain the disease. The international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has been working to respond to the crisis, but the situation remains alarming, with a shortage of medical supplies and vaccines.

Key Takeaways:

  • A rapidly spreading cholera outbreak is affecting 20 out of 26 provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
  • Since January 2025, over 58,000 suspected cases and 1,700 deaths have been recorded, according to the Ministry of Health.
  • The DRC's healthcare system is not equipped to deal with the scale of the crisis, with a shortage of medical supplies and vaccines.
  • MSF has carried out 16 emergency interventions with the Ministry of Health, treating over 35,800 patients and vaccinating over 22,000 people against the disease.
  • Persistent insecurity and lack of access to healthcare facilities hinder the delivery of assistance, forcing MSF teams to make long detours to avoid risky areas.
  • MSF calls for coordinated action to ensure the rapid provision of medical care, including the availability of vaccines, unhindered access, and sustainable investment in access to safe drinking water and sanitation.

Statistics:

  • 58,000 suspected cases of cholera have been recorded since January 2025.
  • Over 1,700 deaths have been reported since January 2025.
  • MSF teams have treated over 35,800 patients and vaccinated over 22,000 people against the disease.
  • 20 out of 26 provinces in the DRC are affected by the cholera outbreak.

Sources:

  • Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), "Cholera Epidemic in Democratic Republic of Congo Requires Urgent Mobilization"
  • Ministry of Health, "Cholera Outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo" (no date specified)
  • Ton Berg, MSF program manager in South Kivu
  • Ndong, MSF representative
  • "Cholera Epidemic in Democratic Republic of Congo Requires Urgent Mobilization", MSF press release, October 21, 2025.

Read more