By: ThinkBusiness Africa
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is currently grappling with its most severe cholera outbreak in a quarter-century, with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warning that the crisis is exacting a devastating toll, particularly on children.
Since the beginning of the year, the country has recorded a staggering 64,427 total cases and 1,888 deaths, according to the latest figures released by UNICEF on Monday. The alarming statistics highlight a public health catastrophe fueled by persistent conflict, extreme poverty, and crumbling sanitation infrastructure.
Children are disproportionately bearing the brunt of the fast-spreading, preventable disease. Nationally, children account for nearly a quarter of all infections, with 14,818 cases and 340 deaths reported among minors.
The tragedy was underscored by a horrific incident in the capital, Kinshasa, where 16 out of 62 children in a single group home died within days of the disease tearing through the orphanage.
“Congolese children should not be so gravely affected by what is a wholly preventable disease,” stated UNICEF DRC Representative John Agbor. “The outbreak has disrupted children’s education, exposing them to illness, and forcing them to witness the suffering and loss of family members.” Agbor said.
The scale of the outbreak is linked directly to the country’s severe lack of basic hygiene and water services. The DRC has the lowest rate of access to basic water services in Africa, with only 43% of the population having access. Furthermore, a mere 15% of citizens use basic sanitation facilities.
Ongoing insecurity, especially in the eastern provinces, restricts access to vital health services and forces massive displacement, increasing the density and vulnerability of communities.
In response, the Congolese government has a cholera elimination plan with a proposed budget of $192 million, which UNICEF notes remains severely underfunded.
UNICEF is appealing to international partners for approximately $6 million in 2026 to sustain its rapid response work.
“The funding pipeline for 2026 looks very fragile, and without additional funds and coordinated action, many more lives could be lost,” Agbor warned. International health bodies stress that only long-term, sustainable investment in safe drinking water and sanitation can finally break the cycle of recurring, devastating cholera outbreaks in the DRC.
