According to UNICEF, one in four Congolese children has been affected by cholera. As an example of the severity of the crisis, they pointed to the fact that 15 children died in a single communal house in Kinshasa.

The lack of clean water and sanitation infrastructure remains the main cause of the epidemic, the agency’s report noted, mentioning other factors that complicate the situation, such as conflict, displacement, heavy rains, and unplanned urbanization. They also cited a lack of information and delays in accessing medical care, which is causing increased mortality rates.

UNICEF noted that, despite the Multisectoral Plan for Cholera Elimination and the Cholera-Free Congo River initiative, resources to stop the epidemic are insufficient.

They added that the UN agency supports emergency interventions, improvements in public hygiene, and targeted actions in infection hotspots, but its funding is insufficient through 2026, hence the call to the government and international partners to urgently increase their support to prevent further loss of life.

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