DRC: MSF Launches Massive Malaria Response Across Three Provinces

Several regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are facing a serious outbreak of malaria. MSF teams are working in three provinces, supporting the Congolese Ministry of Health. So far, MSF has treated more than 17,000 people in Maniema, Equateur, and Orientale provinces.

In DRC, malaria is the leading cause of death. Every year the mosquito-borne disease kills 180,000 children under five.

“To contain the disease, a purely preventative approach such as mosquito net distribution is not enough. We must also treat as many people as possible,” said Dr. Jorgen Stassijn, a malaria specialist and member of the MSF team currently working in Equateur Province.

DRC 2011 © Ben Milpas
Mothers feed their children beneath mosquito netting in an MSF facility