Home / Health / DRC Cholera Crisis: 2,000 Lives Lost in Devastating Outbreak
DRC Cholera Crisis: 2,000 Lives Lost in Devastating Outbreak
8 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Nearly 2,000 lives lost to cholera outbreak since January.
- Seventeen of DRC's 26 provinces are currently affected by the disease.
- Urgent funding needed for sanitation and health services in DRC.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing an unprecedented cholera crisis, with the UN children's agency reporting almost 2,000 fatalities since January. This outbreak, the nation's most severe in 25 years, has spread across 17 of its 26 provinces, underscoring a dire public health emergency.
Compounding the crisis are ongoing conflict and severely limited access to clean water and sanitation, with only 43% of the population having basic water services. UNICEF is urgently seeking $6 million for 2026 to support its life-saving rapid response work.
Health authorities are also alarmed by a wider surge across Africa, noting a 30% increase in cases compared to last year. Without immediate and coordinated action, the toll of this preventable disease is expected to rise significantly.
