The Democratic Republic of Congo is experiencing its worst cholera outbreak in 25 years, with 64,427 cases and 1,888 deaths reported since the start of the year. According to UNICEF, the outbreak has affected 17 of the country’s 26 provinces, including Kinshasa, and has been driven by limited access to clean water and sanitation, persistent conflict, flooding, displacement, and rapid urbanization. The situation is particularly dire for children, with 14,818 cases and 340 deaths reported among minors.
In one tragic incident, 16 children died in a Kinshasa orphanage after the disease spread rapidly. The government’s $192 million Multisectoral Cholera Elimination Plan is severely underfunded, and UNICEF has warned that without urgent funding, many more lives could be lost. The agency has supported rapid response teams, treatment centers, and improvements to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities, reaching over 13.5 million people with prevention information.
Meanwhile, in Sudan, hundreds of airstrikes by the country’s air force have killed over 1,700 civilians and injured more than 1,100 since April 2023. The Sudan Witness Project has documented 384 airstrikes, which have targeted homes, markets, schools, hospitals, and displacement camps. The attacks have been attributed to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), which have repeatedly dropped unguided bombs in densely populated areas.
The United Nations has launched its 2026 humanitarian appeal, requesting $23 billion to address global humanitarian crises, including the cholera outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the conflict in Sudan. The appeal is significantly lower than the $47 billion requested in 2025, due to a sharp decline in donor funding. The UN has warned that humanitarian responders are overstretched, underfunded, and under attack, and that the lack of funding could have devastating consequences for millions of people in need.
In other news, Amnesty International has urged Tanzanian authorities to respect and protect the rights to peaceful assembly and expression ahead of nationwide protests planned for December 9. The organization has called on police to avoid unnecessary or excessive force and warned against the use of blanket internet shutdowns. In Benin, two senior military officials who were taken hostage during a failed coup have been freed, and the government has announced that the situation is under control. The coup attempt was sparked by criticism over deteriorating security, cuts to social services, and political restrictions.
