0
0
As sexual violence has increased this year in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the withdrawal of U.S. funding has left thousands of people without medical care and access to life-saving medicines, a United Nations agency warned on Thursday.
According to the UN agency for sexual and reproductive health (UNFPA), the recent disengagement by the United States — including a 37% cut in protection funding and more than 50% in sexual and reproductive health funding — has pushed the health system to the brink of collapse.
The report, covering the month of May 2025, notes that more than half of the gender-based violence (GBV) service delivery points that were operational last year are no longer functioning. In frontline areas, 90% to 100% of support structures for survivors have either closed or suspended their operations.
Limited Stock of Post-Rape Kits in Eastern DRC
After taking office in January, President Donald Trump ordered a 90-day freeze on foreign aid and suspended grants from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
“As conflict-related sexual violence rises in eastern DRC, USAID has reduced funding for GBV programs, contributing to the depletion of post-rape kits used to treat survivors,” UNFPA’s DRC office posted on X.
In early July, a Reuters investigation revealed that the Trump administration had canceled a major contract to supply emergency kits for rape survivors in Congo. These emergency kits include medications to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, as well as unwanted pregnancies.
“The mapping of post-rape kits conducted by the Sexual and Reproductive Health Working Group shows that stocks are limited in eastern DRC and that many health facilities are completely out of stock,” UNFPA added.
Unprecedented Levels of Sexual Violence
These funding cuts come as persistent violence in the eastern part of this Great Lakes country continues to have a devastating impact on women and girls.
The number of reported sexual violence cases has reached “unprecedented levels,” with hundreds of cases reported weekly in the eastern DRC, particularly in South Kivu, North Kivu, Ituri, and Tanganyika.
“Actual figures are likely much higher due to underreporting caused by fear, stigma, and limited access to services,” UNFPA cautioned.
Many health centers in Goma, Walikale, Rutshuru, Lubero, Masisi (North Kivu), and Kalehe (South Kivu) are no longer receiving medicines or supplies to treat rape victims.
Fewer than One in Four Survivors Have Their Needs Met
Only 7 of the 34 health zones in North Kivu currently have the minimum stock of post-rape kits, and the majority of reported cases of sexual violence survivors seeking medical assistance have not been treated.
“Fewer than one in four survivors have their needs met. At present, only 13% of referred survivors have received post-exposure prophylaxis within the critical 72-hour window, putting them at risk of contracting HIV.”
Without these vital medical supplies, women and girls face the risk of injuries (including genital trauma), unintended pregnancies, pregnancy-related complications such as unsafe abortions, sexually transmitted infections including HIV, and urinary tract infections.
Underfunded Appeal
Of the $42 million funding appeal, UNFPA has received only $11.6 million. Without urgent funding to offset the loss of U.S. support, humanitarian agencies in the DRC fear dire consequences for women: survivor deaths, HIV transmission, unwanted pregnancies, and unsafe abortions with a high risk of maternal mortality.
About Author
OTHER ARTICLES
Zambia : The vital role of community health assistants in public health surveillance
Lusaka — African health ministers and partners are calling for increased investment in integrated health services to address the growing burden of severe noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), particularly those affecting women and underserved populations across the region. At a high-level side event during the Seventy-fifth session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, delegates emphasized the urgent need for equitable access to prevention, screening, treatment, and rehabilitation across the continuum of care for NCDs. Disparities are especially pronounced in rural areas, where health infrastructure and services remain inadequate. Breast and cervical cancers are among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in sub-Saharan Africa—particularly cervical cancer, which is both preventable and treatable. It remains the most common cause of cancer death for women in the region. In 2022, Africa accounted for nearly a quarter (23%) of the 76 000 global cervical cancer deaths. Meanwhile, severe NCDs such as Type 1 diabetes, sickle cell disease, and heart conditions claim more than half a million lives annually, including among children, adolescents, and young adults in some of the continent’s poorest communities. Inequitable access to health services continues to hinder efforts to reduce this burden. To improve cervical and breast cancer care in the region, urgent investment is needed in leadership, governance, and financing. Strengthening these foundations is critical in the current funding landscape. Advancements in strategic planning, healthcare infrastructure, workforce training, and—most importantly—equitable access to screening, diagnostic, and treatment services are essential. To address these challenges, WHO and its partners showcased successful integrated models such as the Women’s Integrated Care for Cancer Services (WICS), the BEAT Breast Cancer Project, and the PEN-Plus Strategy. WICS strengthens early detection, treatment, and integration of women’s cancer services into primary health care systems in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. The BEAT Breast Cancer Project is a transformative multi-year initiative aimed at reducing breast cancer mortality among women in Tanzania and Ghana through early detection, timely diagnosis, and comprehensive treatment access. “PEN-Plus, WICS and the BEAT Breast Cancer Initiative are models for a new standard of care, rooted in equity, access and health justice. I urge countries to prioritize policies that embed these models into broader health system strengthening, said Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa”. Côte d’Ivoire offers a compelling example of progress, combining high HPV vaccination coverage—reaching over three million girls (91.4%)—with WICS-supported community-based screening campaigns to strengthen cervical cancer prevention. In Kenya, cervical cancer screening has been successfully integrated into national health services. “This gathering marks a pivotal moment to accelerate action for breast cancer prevention in Africa. We deeply value the leadership of the Ministries of Health of Ghana and Tanzania, and the steadfast support of the Pfizer Foundation in helping us achieve this milestone. The side event builds momentum for the policy prioritization of women’s cancers, partnerships to strengthen the broader women’s cancer ecosystem, and advance a health-systems approach to breast cancer prevention and management”, said Dr Somesh Kumar, Senior Director, Jhpiego. PEN-Plus expands access to care for severe NCDs at the district hospital level. Since its implementation, 20 countries in Africa have increased access to services for severe NCDs. Over 15 000 people are currently receiving treatment for chronic conditions such as sickle cell disease and Type 1 diabetes through PEN-Plus clinics.
Confirmed Case of Mpox in Senegal: Situation Update (as of August 27, 2025)