Eastern Congo’s healthcare system is in crisis as ongoing conflict and dwindling humanitarian funding have led to critical medicine shortages in more than 200 health facilities. A recent assessment by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) found that 80 % of clinics in North and South Kivu provinces are operating without external support, leaving many patients without basic treatments for malaria, HIV and tuberculosis.
The conflict, driven by the Rwanda‑backed M23 rebels, has severely disrupted the transport of medicines across front lines, worsening shortages even when supplies are available. This year, over 3,000 people have been killed and approximately 7 million displaced, deepening the humanitarian emergency. Health workers are fleeing, and patients are dying from lack of care.
ICRC Secretary‑General François Moreillon warned that the situation is not only a medical emergency but a human catastrophe that demands immediate global attention. The organization’s assessment underscores the devastating impact of the conflict on the health system and the urgent need for sustained support to prevent further loss of life.
The crisis in eastern Congo is rooted in years of conflict and instability, and humanitarian response is hampered by funding constraints that leave many facilities without essential resources. As conditions deteriorate, it is crucial for the international community to act, addressing medicine shortages and enabling health workers to provide critical care. Thousands of lives hang in the balance, and urgent, coordinated action is essential to alleviate suffering and prevent further deaths.
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