In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has sounded the alarm on the escalating cholera epidemic, particularly in areas occupied by war-displaced individuals around the city of Goma.
An upsurge in cholera cases has been noted in treatment facilities. In recent months, armed conflicts in the DRC have exacerbated the situation, forcing thousands of people to seek refuge in less-than-ideal conditions, thereby increasing the risk of cholera spreading around Goma.
Insufficient Latrines
The current humanitarian response fails to meet the growing need for clean water, hygiene, and sanitation. In some camps, there are insufficient latrines, or they are completely saturated, and access to showers and clean water remains severely limited. In response to this crisis, MSF has implemented a series of urgent measures.
Specialized treatment units have been established, such as in the Buhimba and Kanyaruchinia Health Areas, where over 525 patients have been treated in the past five weeks.
“Prioritizing Access to Clean Water”
Jimmy Matumona, MSF’s deputy mission chief, emphasized that this is insufficient: “MSF calls for a significant mobilization of humanitarian actors and authorities, given the magnitude of the needs. Constructing showers, latrines, and prioritizing access to clean water is crucial.”
The NGO also stresses the need for efficient deployment in the area: “We also urge different actors not to focus solely on one aspect. We note a disengagement of humanitarian actors in Kanyaruchinia, in the northern part of Goma.”
In 2023, over 52,400 cases of cholera and 462 deaths were recorded in the DRC, making this epidemic one of the most significant in the world.