Democratic Republic of Congo News

Traditional practice in Democratic Republic of the Congo helping Ebola response effo...

Bulape Fifty-four-year-old Jacob Mukaba, who lost his wife recently to Ebola, is observing a 40-day mourning period during which he must not leave his home. This practice among the Kete community in Bulape, a locality in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kasai Province and the epicentre of the ongoing Ebola outbreak—is working to the advantage of disease surveillance teams.

Water supply system transforming life beyond the Ebola response in Democratic Republ...

Bulape – For years, the 20 000 residents of Bulape have lived with a harsh reality: to fetch water, they had to walk several kilometres through the forest, often at dawn or dusk, to reach stagnant and unsafe pools.

“The water was often dirty, but we had no choice,” recalls Henriette Byongo, a mother of seven. The long trek stole hours from women’s days, delayed children on their way to school, and fuelled outbreaks of waterborne diseases.

Mental health in emergencies: Between pain, resilience, and hope

Goma – Every year on October 10, World Mental Health Day reminds us of the vital role mental health plays—especially in times of crisis. At Virunga General Referral Hospital in eastern DRC, clinical psychologist Annie Kahambu Kikoli has spent the past three years helping people heal. She shares her journey, the challenges she faces, and what keeps her going.

Tackling mpox through global and local collaboration in the Democratic Republic of t...

Kinshasa – Mpox continues to strain the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s health system. Between 1 January and 31 May 2025, the country reported more than 12 000 suspected cases and 22 deaths, accounting for over 50% of all mpox cases in Africa this year.

In response, World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) are supporting the country’s efforts to strengthen clinical care, improve detection and build the skills and engagement of frontline responders.