Health Crisis in Eastern Congo: Medicines Run Dry Amid Warfare

The ICRC reports that over 200 health facilities in eastern Congo have exhausted their supplies due to conflict-induced looting and disruptions. The crisis has intensified as M23-related conflict persists and humanitarian funding declines, leaving residents at severe risk from untreated diseases and escalating staff shortages.

More than 200 health facilities in war-hit eastern Congo have run out of medication as a result of rampant looting and disrupted supply chains amid ongoing fighting, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported on Wednesday.

An ICRC survey last month of 240 health centers and clinics in North and South Kivu provinces revealed that almost 90% of facilities were completely out of medicines, with staff shortages affecting 40% of them.

The ongoing healthcare crisis has reached critical levels, with lives at immediate risk due to untreated diseases like malaria and HIV, as fighting linked to Rwanda-backed M23 rebels continues.

(With inputs from agencies.)