Congo's Cholera Crisis: Urgent Call for Global Aid

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is experiencing its worst cholera outbreak in 25 years, with nearly 2,000 fatalities reported since January. UNICEF highlights the severity, especially among children in impacted areas. More funding is needed for sanitation, clean water, and health services to combat the crisis.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo faces its most severe cholera outbreak in decades, resulting in nearly 2,000 deaths since the start of the year, according to the U.N. children's agency. The epidemic has hit children especially hard, with stark examples such as an orphanage in Kinshasa where 16 of 62 children succumbed shortly after the disease struck, UNICEF reports.

Cholera, a highly infectious and potentially lethal gastrointestinal disease, proliferates rapidly in areas with inadequate sewage and drinking water treatment. UNICEF spokesperson John Agbor emphasized that it is unacceptable for Congolese children to endure the impacts of a preventable illness. Other African nations, like Angola and Burundi, have also seen a surge in cases, with a 30% increase compared to last year's figures.

Conflict and lack of clean water exacerbate the crisis in Congo, where 64,427 cases and 1,888 deaths have been reported, 14,818 of which involve children. Only 43% of the population has access to basic water services, and just 15% benefit from basic sanitation facilities, UNICEF notes. A government-led cholera elimination plan, with an intended $192 million budget, remains underfunded. UNICEF seeks an additional $6 million by 2026 to support its emergency response initiatives, warning that, without coordinated efforts, more lives could be at risk.

(With inputs from agencies.)