Malaria is a significant public health challenge in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), with a high prevalence and mortality rate, particularly among children under five years old. This study examines the impact of malaria in eastern DR Congo, where armed conflict and humanitarian crises have resulted in overcrowded refugee and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, exacerbating malaria transmission. Malnutrition, limited access to healthcare, and poor living conditions makes children under the age of five particularly vulnerable. Despite attempts by organizations such as the World Health Organization and various non-governmental organizations to supply insecticide-treated bed nets and antimalarial drugs, implementation in refugee camps is impeded by war, resource constraints, and insufficient healthcare facilities. A focused elimination approach that includes integrated vector control, enhanced diagnostic access, healthcare professional training, and community engagement is critical. Surveillance and research are critical for determining malaria prevalence and resistance patterns. Effective malaria treatment in refugee camps necessitates broad strategies to protect vulnerable children and lower disease burdens.

Background: Acute diarrhea (AD), which is defined as frequent passing of liquid stools compared to normal, is a serious and worrying problem and remains a concern for healthcare systems because of its high mortality cause in children under 5 years old. The authors’ study aimed to present the prevalence and to describe the clinical manifestation of AD among under-5 children. Methods: From June 2022 to May 2023, the authors conducted a retrospective, descriptive and cross-sectional study including all patients aged 0–5 years hospitalized for AD. Results: Out of 512 patients, only 197 (38.5%) children with AD were selected for our study. The average age is 25.5 months, and the sex ratio is 1.11. Some families (75.1%) have clean latrines, and 21.8% use water from the river. Inaccessibility to clean water and intolerance or food poisoning were the causes of acute diarrhea in children. Major signs and symptoms are fever, dehydration and vomiting. Weight loss and malnutrition are the major complications of AD in children. The treatment of AD is provided by oral rehydration solutions and antibiotics. Conclusion: The study highlights the significant prevalence of acute diarrhea among under-5 children underscores the importance of preventive measures and government intervention, such as the introduction of rotavirus vaccination. However, conclusions regarding prevalence rates should be interpreted with caution due to the lack of detailed population data.

Synopsis: Sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo is also described as a weapon of war.

Ebola virus disease (EVD) has long been a major public health concern for Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo). First identified in DR Congo in 1976, the country has witnessed more than 25 outbreaks of this deadly disease, which has a case fatality rate of nearly 90% and manifesting with symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, stomachache and haemorrhagic fever. African fruit bats have been speculated to be the reservoir of this virus. DR Congo is currently facing another EVD outbreak simultaneously with other communicable diseases, rendering it vulnerable to a shortage of medical and paramedical staff along with distrust among remote communities towards local authorities due to armed conflict and political instability. Moreover, lack of ring vaccinations and inefficient surveillance of suspected individuals are some other significant hurdles in disease control. Despite the availability of rVSV-ZEBOV/Erbevo vaccine and many antibody-based vaccines, challenges including politicization, low access to remote communities, and illiteracy have limited their effectiveness. Recently, the Congolese govt. has put in efforts such as building local capacities at the health zone level, outbreak control intervention, community engagement and social mobilization to counter the rising EVD cases. Four successive Strategic Response Plans have been implemented to increase resource mobilization by DR Congo and her partners. The Spread of zoonotics such as EVD can be confronted by implementing the One Health approach, which involves medical staff, veterinarians and public health officials.