Congo, July 17 -- Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is experiencing an increasing number of epidemics this year, with measles and cholera-two deadly and highly contagious diseases-of particular concern. These outbreaks occur at a time of escalating violence and insecurity in the country, as well as broader fears of how recent cuts to international humanitarian aid will impact the situation. Resources to contain these epidemics are already dramatically insufficient.
Measles and cholera have been spreading across DRC for months now. By the beginning of July, over 36,150 suspected measles cases and 565 deaths were reported in nearly all of the country's 26 provinces, while 33,864 people had been affected by cholera, resulting in 757 deaths....