Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has a long history of infectious disease epidemics due to a variety of factors, including tropical climate, dense forests, limited healthcare infrastructure and socio-political instability. The DRC has a heavy burden of infectious diseases and is prone to recurrent epidemics that require emergency assistance to minimize mortality and morbidity.

The country faces a number of epidemics, including cholera, measles, bubonic plague and yellow fever. The DRC is also heavily affected by Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox), with case-fatality rates are high, at around 4%. Additionally, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reported 12 outbreaks of EVD. The epidemics affected a total of 10 of the country's 26 provinces.

Tackling these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach, including strengthening healthcare infrastructures, improving surveillance and response systems, reinforcing public health education and encouraging international cooperation and support.

In response to these challenges, the DRC Red Cross has been working to empower communities to prevent the spread of diseases in the provinces of Kinshasa and Kongo Central since 2018, and has expanded its activities to the Equateur province since 2023. The organization collaborates with the government, communities, local stakeholders, and humanitarian partners to collectively prepare for and respond to epidemics. Community-based surveillance is a key focus of the DRC Red Cross's work. 

Through an extensive network of  volunteers, the organization provides essential information and referrals, in coordination with the Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Livestock, to help stop diseases from spreading before an outbreak occurs. This involves community education through door-to-door visits, activities in schools, and group discussions, as well as strengthening community health referral systems and engaging and training influential individuals in the community, such as teachers, chiefs, and traditional healers. In addition to community-based surveillance, the DRC Red Cross also focuses on preparing first responders and stakeholders. This includes developing multi-hazard response plans, strengthening infection prevention and control in Red Cross health facilities, and training and preparing volunteers and staff. 

• Democratic Republic of the Congo: Epidemic preparedness and response
• Case study: Measles immunization in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Community level Cholera preparedness
• Volunteers in DR Congo help high-risk communities to help prevent chikungunya