The Democratic Republic of Congo is currently facing its most significant cholera outbreak for 20 years: in 2017, 55,000 people fell ill across 24 of the country’s 26 provinces, and 1190 died. Medecins Sans Frontieres has been at the forefront of the medical and humanitarian response, treating half of cases (about 25,300 people) across the country, especially in the provinces of Kongo Central, Kwilu, Kasaï, Haut Lomami, Maniema, Tanganyika, Sud-Kivu, Nord-Kivu, Ituri and Bas-Uélé.
The epidemic has now reached the country’s capital, Kinshasa, where from the end of November until 22nd January 2018, health authorities indicated 826 suspected new cases and 32 deaths.
To contain the epidemic, teams from MSF’s ‘Congo Emergency Pool’ are bolstering the two Cholera Treatment Units (CTUs) in Camp Luka and Pakadjuma, building and supporting two more CTUs (for a total of 100 beds), so ensuring 24/7 patient care in the most affected health zones (Binza Méteo, Kitambo and Limete).

All photos have been taken at the MSF Cholera Treatment Center (UTC- Unité de Traitement du Choléra) in Camp Luka, health district of Binza Méteo, commune de Ngaliema, Kinshasa, DRC.