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EMERGENCY – A cholera epidemic has been declared in Kinshasa and continues throughout the country. Cholera response in DRC will not succeed without support.

Although the number of cholera cases has decreased significantly along the Congo River, the cholera epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is not controlled yet, by far. Since the beginning of the year, the DRC recorded 10,982 cases of cholera and 349 deaths have been recorded, an increase of more than 10% compared with the situation in the same period in 2016.

The DRC accounts for more than 98% of all reported cholera cases in West and Central Africa. UNICEF calls on donors not to disengage from the cholera epidemic. The organization itself needs US$ 2 million for its contribution to the fight against the epidemic.

Cholera in the DRC in 2017

Cholera is endemic in many parts of the DRC, particularly in the east of the country. The province of Tanganyika, for instance, reported 2,496 cases and 43 deaths during the month of May 2017. Transmission remains active in many health zones in Tanganyika. Population movements linked to the conflicts between Pygmies and Lubas worsen it by causing internal displacements to neighboring provinces, such as Maniema, Upper Katanga, Upper Lomami and South Kivu.

The situation is also of concern in non-endemic areas in the north and west of the country. This epidemic affects several health zones in western DRC, particularly Kimpese in Central Kongo, with more than 600 cases reported from March to the present day. The province of Kinshasa also requires attention, as the Provincial Minister of Health declared an epidemic last Friday.

Several factors are aggravating the persistence of the cholera epidemic. These include the weak involvement of state structures in fighting against cholera, a lack of attention from the humanitarian and development community and other actors to this “forgotten” epidemic, as well as some funds that ended on March 31.

What UNICEF does in the cholera response in DRC

As the leading agency in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene cluster, UNICEF coordinates the response to the cholera epidemic alongside the Government of the DRC. In addition, UNICEF provides technical and equipment support to its partners in the field. It provides chlorine hits, soap, hand-washing kits, image boxes for sensitization and prevention, as well as cholera kits in affected health zones. Several activities are carried out with partners in the field, including water chlorination, community awareness and disinfection of affected households.

In view of the situation and the evolution of the epidemic, it is important that donors continue their support in order to prevent the epidemic from spreading.

For more information :

Yves Willemot, UNICEF DRC, +243 81 88 46 746, ywillemot@unicef.org

Sylvie Sona, UNICEF DRC, +243 81 70 96 215, nssona@unicef.org