Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has raised alarm over the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), particularly in South Kivu province.
With over 7 million internally displaced due to decades-long conflict, the situation has been further exacerbated by the recent M23 rebel advances into Bukavu.
“We are playing with fire; if the security situation in DR Congo is not resolved, coupled with the suspension of US funding, we could just see DR Congo become the epicenter for a major outbreak of a pandemic,” warned Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya during a virtual press briefing.
Efforts to secure financial support continue, as Africa CDC negotiates with the US to restore aid, which has dropped from $500 million to $385 million. “We received $4 million from China and South Korea, but this is insufficient,” Kaseya stated.
He also revealed that discussions are ongoing with African billionaire Aliko Dangote and philanthropist Tony Elumelu to establish a new financing initiative. Meanwhile, Africa CDC is working toward manufacturing its own cholera vaccines by 2025 and is close to finalizing an agreement on mpox vaccines with Bavarian Nordic.
The ongoing violence has led to over 3,000 deaths and 500,000 new displacements since late January, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis. Peacekeepers have also suffered heavy losses, with at least 20 killed, including 14 South Africans.
Kinshasa has accused Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels, though Kigali denies these claims. Kaseya has urged African leaders to step in, saying, “I have written to all heads of state on the continent calling for support, especially security, to enable us to provide humanitarian assistance to the people in South Kivu.”
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