More than 80 per cent of health facilities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are now without medicine, according to a new assessment by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The report, released on Thursday, revealed that over 200 hospitals and clinics in North and South Kivu have run out of essential drugs due to ongoing conflict and dwindling humanitarian funding.
The shortages have left thousands of patients without treatment for malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, and other life-threatening diseases.
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The ICRC said the fighting between government forces and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels has made it nearly impossible to transport medical supplies across frontlines, even when aid shipments are available.
Congo Faces Worst Humanitarian Crisis
So far this year, more than 3,000 people have been killed, while about seven million others have been displaced, deepening what the organisation described as one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
“This is not just a medical emergency, it’s a human catastrophe,” said François Moreillon, the ICRC’s head of delegation in Congo. “Health workers are fleeing, patients are dying, and thousands of lives hang in the balance. The world’s attention and action are urgently needed.”
The ICRC called for renewed international support to sustain humanitarian operations in the region and urged all armed groups to allow the safe passage of medical supplies.
The ongoing war in eastern Congo has stretched health services to breaking point, with aid agencies warning that if the situation persists, preventable deaths could rise sharply in the coming months.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
