Archive · 8 Dec 2025
Congo faces worst cholera outbreak in 25 years
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is having a very bad cholera outbreak, the worst in 25 years.
Cholera is a sickness that makes people have bad diarrhea and can be very serious.
Since January, almost 2,000 people have died, and many of them are children.
The problem is getting worse because there isn't enough clean water or good sanitation.
The government has a plan to stop cholera, but they don't have enough money.
UNICEF, which helps children around the world, is asking for more money to help.
If they don't get it, more people might get sick and die.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is experiencing its worst cholera outbreak in 25 years, with 64,427 cases and 1,888 deaths since January.
Conflict and lack of access to clean water are exacerbating the crisis, with only 43% of people having access to basic water services and 15% to basic sanitation.
The outbreak has significantly impacted children, with 14,818 infections and 340 deaths among them.
The government's cholera elimination plan, budgeted at $192 million, remains severely underfunded.
UNICEF is appealing for $6 million in 2026 to sustain its rapid response work and prevent further loss of life.
- Who
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, UNICEF, Congolese children
- What
- Worst cholera outbreak in 25 years
- When
- Since January, with a significant increase recently
- Where
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, affecting 17 out of 26 provinces
- Why
- Conflict, lack of access to clean water, inadequate sanitation, and underfunding of health services
- Total cases since January
- 64,427
- Total deaths since January
- 1,888
- Child infections
- 14,818
- Child deaths
- 340
- Impacted provinces
- 17 out of 26
- Access to basic water services
- 43%
- Access to basic sanitation
- 15%