DRC: Cholera Epidemic Rapidly Spreading Across The Country – Forbes

Humanitarian Crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A Report on Conflict, Public Health, and Sustainable Development Goals

Overview of the Crisis

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is currently experiencing a severe and multi-faceted humanitarian crisis, affecting over 21 million people. The situation is characterized by escalating armed conflict, widespread human rights violations, and a significant public health emergency, all of which present profound challenges to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This report outlines the key dimensions of the crisis, with a specific focus on its implications for SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Conflict, Displacement, and Human Rights Violations

Renewed conflict, particularly involving the M23 armed group in the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu, has led to mass displacement and severe violations of international humanitarian law. This violence directly contravenes the principles of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by undermining stability, security, and access to justice.

• M23 rebel activity has resulted in the seizure of key regions, including Goma, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.
• The United Nations has documented numerous atrocity crimes, including conflict-related sexual violence, summary executions, abductions, and targeted attacks on civilians, humanitarian workers, and peacekeepers.
• Critical infrastructure, such as hospitals and schools, has been bombed, severely impacting SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education).

In response, the UN Human Rights Council established a fact-finding mission in February 2025 to investigate these violations, underscoring the international concern over the collapse of peace and security frameworks essential for sustainable development.

Public Health Emergency: Cholera Outbreak

Compounding the conflict is one of the worst cholera outbreaks in a decade, which poses a direct threat to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The epidemic’s rapid spread is intrinsically linked to the failure to achieve SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

• The outbreak has affected 20 of the country’s 26 provinces.
• As of mid-October, over 58,000 suspected cases and more than 1,700 deaths were reported by the Ministry of Health.
• The fatality rate exceeds 3%, three times the 1% threshold recommended by the World Health Organization, indicating a critical failure in treatment and prevention.
• Contributing factors include floods, conflict-related displacement, and inadequate sanitation and water supply systems, which create ideal conditions for the spread of water-borne diseases.

Challenges to an Effective Humanitarian Response

The response to the dual crises of conflict and cholera is hampered by significant obstacles. These challenges highlight the need for stronger global partnerships and institutional capacity, as envisioned in SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

1. Insufficient Funding and Resources: The response suffers from a lack of financial support from the government and a limited presence of humanitarian agencies.
2. Systemic Weaknesses: Deficiencies include weak disease surveillance systems, a shortage of medical personnel and supplies, and limited vaccine distribution.
3. Logistical and Security Barriers: Humanitarian access is severely restricted by logistical difficulties, security risks, and administrative barriers, preventing aid from reaching vulnerable communities.
4. Lack of Coordination: An effective emergency response mechanism is compromised by a lack of coordination among stakeholders.

Recommendations and Path Forward

Addressing the crisis in the DRC requires immediate and coordinated action focused on both humanitarian relief and long-term development. The following recommendations are crucial for mitigating suffering and realigning the country with the Sustainable Development Goals.

• Prioritize Public Health: Cholera must be treated as a national public health emergency, with rapid provision of medical care, including vaccines. This is fundamental to restoring progress on SDG 3.
• Ensure Humanitarian Access: All parties must guarantee safe and unhindered access for humanitarian organizations to deliver life-saving assistance.
• Invest in Core Infrastructure: Sustainable investment in safe drinking water and sanitation systems is imperative to prevent future outbreaks and advance SDG 6.
• Strengthen Peace and Justice Institutions: A renewed focus on conflict resolution, accountability for human rights violations, and the strengthening of governance is essential for achieving SDG 16 and creating the conditions necessary for all other forms of development.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights several interconnected crises in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), directly addressing or connecting to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The core of the article focuses on a major cholera outbreak, the high fatality rate, the unequipped healthcare system, and the lack of medical supplies and personnel, all of which are central to SDG 3.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The article explicitly identifies the root causes of the cholera epidemic as “inadequate sanitation and water supply systems,” “poor hygiene conditions,” and “insufficient access to clean water,” which are the primary concerns of SDG 6.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article begins by describing a “new wave of conflict and atrocity crimes,” including summary executions, abductions, attacks on civilians and human rights defenders, and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people. These issues of violence, insecurity, and human rights violations are fundamental to SDG 16.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The article mentions the “bombing of sites for displaced persons, hospitals and schools,” which directly undermines the provision of safe learning environments, a key aspect of SDG 4.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the specific issues discussed, the following SDG targets can be identified:

1. Under SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being):
   • Target 3.3: End the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases. The article’s entire focus on the cholera epidemic, described as “one of the worst in a decade,” directly relates to this target.
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all. The text highlights significant barriers, such as an “unequipped” health care system, “lack of medical personnel and supplies,” “limited vaccine distribution,” and challenges for communities in reaching medical facilities.
   • Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks. The article points to failures in this area, citing “weak surveillance and case identification systems” and a “lack of coordination in the emergency response mechanism.”
2. Under SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation):
   • Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. The call for “sustainable investment in access to safe drinking water” indicates this is a major deficit.
   • Target 6.2: By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation. The article explicitly links the cholera outbreak to “inadequate sanitation” and “poor hygiene conditions.”
3. Under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):
   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The article details a “new wave of conflict,” “summary executions,” and “bombing of sites for displaced persons, hospitals and schools.”
   • Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements. The mention of “targeted attacks against human rights defenders, journalists, other civil society actors and peacekeepers” directly contravenes this target.
4. Under SDG 4 (Quality Education):
   • Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all. The “bombing of… schools” is a direct attack on the safety of learning environments.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure the severity of the situation and track progress:

• For SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being):
  • Cholera Incidence Rate: The article reports “more than 58,000 suspected cases” between January and mid-October. This is a direct measure for Target 3.3.
  • Mortality Rate from a Specific Disease: The text states that “More than 1,700 deaths have been recorded” from cholera.
  • Case Fatality Rate: A key indicator mentioned is the cholera “fatality rate exceeding 3%,” which is contrasted with the WHO’s recommended rate of below 1%. This measures the effectiveness of the healthcare response (Target 3.8).
  • Health System Capacity: The article implies negative indicators through descriptions like an “unequipped” health system, “lack of medical personnel and supplies,” and “limited vaccine distribution” (Target 3.d and 3.8).
• For SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):
  • Number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): The article states that the conflict has resulted in “hundreds of thousands being forced to flee,” which is an indicator of the scale of violence (Target 16.1).
  • Number of Verified Cases of Violence: The reporting of “summary executions, abductions, enforced disappearances” and “targeted attacks against human rights defenders, journalists… and peacekeepers” serves as a qualitative and potentially quantifiable indicator of violence and the lack of protection for fundamental freedoms (Targets 16.1 and 16.10).
• For SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation):
  • Incidence of Water-Borne Diseases: The scale of the cholera outbreak itself (“one of the worst in a decade”) serves as a powerful indirect indicator of the failure to provide clean water and sanitation (Targets 6.1 and 6.2).
• For SDG 4 (Quality Education):
  • Number of Attacks on Schools: The mention of the “bombing of… schools” is a direct indicator of the lack of safe learning environments (Target 4.a).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: forbes.com