DRC's 2025 Measles Crisis Exposed a Collapsing Health System

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) faced a devastating measles outbreak in 2025, with over 82,869 suspected cases and 1,175 deaths. The crisis hit hardest in the east, where ongoing conflict and a weakened health system made containment difficult.

The epidemic spread across nearly all provinces, but conditions in eastern DRC were especially severe. Decades of violence had displaced communities, cut off healthcare access, and left infrastructure in ruins. By January 2026, Nord-Kivu and Sud-Kivu were officially named the worst-affected regions.

Vaccination efforts struggled due to the country's vast, remote terrain and crumbling roads. Parents often couldn't reach clinics, while underfunded health services lacked supplies and staff. In 2025, only 20% of the humanitarian response plan received funding, with health and sanitation sectors suffering the most.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) stepped in to help, vaccinating around 1,146,810 children and treating 20,870 patients between February and December 2025. Despite these efforts, the outbreak exposed deep systemic weaknesses. Health authorities now face the challenge of scaling up logistics and funding to prevent future crises.

Measles is preventable with two vaccine doses, but high community coverage remains out of reach in many areas. The DRC's health system, already strained by underfunding and insecurity, will need sustained support to recover. Without it, similar outbreaks could reoccur in vulnerable regions.