Since the beginning of 2025, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has experienced a concerning increase in epidemics, particularly measles and cholera. Overshadowed by the security situation, these outbreaks are occurring amid fears against a backdrop of fears about reduced humanitarian funding in the country, at a time when resources to contain these epidemics are already dramatically insufficient.
Measles and cholera have been spreading across the country for months now. By the beginning of July, there had been over 36,150 suspected measles cases and 565 deaths
While the DRC has experienced more widespread epidemics in the past, the acute shortage of resources and vaccines to respond to them, coupled with logistical and security challenges in the eastern regions, makes the current situation particularly complex and concerning.
“The DRC is facing shortages of several vaccines, including measles and cholera. A shortage of measles vaccines for routine activities is also feared,” says Emmanuel Lampaert, MSF Representative for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in the DRC. "Everywhere, our teams are facing the same situation. Everything is lacking. And outbreaks are multiplying".
In Lomera, South Kivu, the emergency vaccination programme set up to deal with the cholera outbreak has not even managed to administer one dose of the vaccine per person due to insufficient supplies. This even though two doses are required for optimum protection.
Response in the field
In the first half of 2025, MSF set up more than 20 emergency interventions to support the Ministry of Health in tackling epidemic outbreaks. From North to South Kivu, from Ituri to North-Ubangi, from Maniema to Sankuru and Grand Katanga, these interventions made it possible to vaccinate over 437,000 children against measles and to treat more than 5,430 patients with the disease. At the same time, almost 12,800 patients were treated for cholera, and more than 11,000 people were vaccinated against the disease.
However, the conditions in which these responses are taking place are often suboptimal, and it is difficult to cut the chains of transmission.
“In Businga, in North Ubangi province, there was a severe shortage of measles vaccines and no electricity, which is crucial for refrigerating the vaccines”, explains Dr Thomas Holibanga, head of MSF's emergency response in Businga. "We therefore had to do our 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 local authorities didn't have the necessary logistics: motorcycles, pirogues, speedboats..."
In Lomera, the lack of cholera vaccines is exacerbated by poor hygiene conditions that facilitate the spread of the disease. “Without sustainable investment in access to drinking water and the implementation of an effective waste management system, cholera will continue to wreak havoc,” explains Dr Luiza Suarez, MSF's Medical Coordinator in South Kivu. “It is essential that the authorities and partners step up their efforts to guarantee adequate water, hygiene and sanitation services, in order to prevent epidemic outbreaks sustainably.”
Insecurity, an aggravating factor in epidemics
Unfortunately, insecurity and fighting in the east of the country are also contributing to the multiplication of epidemic outbreaks, with the delivery of vaccines and medical supplies extremely difficult.
In Bambo and Masisi in North Kivu province, for instance, MSF-supported vaccination campaigns have been delayed due to fighting. However, the security situation in the East does not only affect the areas directly affected by the fighting. For months now, the closure of Bukavu and Goma airports has blocked the main route for vaccines to eastern DRC. As a result, stocks that are usually flown in from Kinshasa have rapidly run out.
The authorities and some United Nations agencies have set up initiatives to replenish stocks, but the delivering supplies requires much greater logistical and financial resources. This is happening at a time when overall humanitarian funding is being sharply reduced, raising major fears for the future of the DRC.
“The epidemiological situation, coupled with international budget cuts, is extremely concerning”, says Emmanuel Lampaert. “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. This includes reopening the airports in Goma and Bukavu and ensuring the safety of air and land transport. This is urgent to enable an effective response to the multiple emergencies currently impacting the country.”
North Kivu: Living conditions worsen in Bambo – a fragile sanctuary for tens of thousands fleeing violence
Lomera, South Kivu: First came the gold rush, then the cholera
