In December 2025, Greece provided a financial contribution of EUR 300,000 through the World Health Organization (WHO), aimed at strengthening the humanitarian and health response in the provinces of North and South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for the period January–June 2026.
The intervention was implemented in an exceptionally challenging environment, where armed conflict and mass population displacement placed additional pressure on already overstretched health services, while outbreaks of cholera, mpox, measles and Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) were also reported.
Greece’s contribution supported local health authorities in key areas, including disease surveillance, infection prevention and control, patient care, community engagement and the continuity of essential health services.
Key results of the intervention included:
- Investigation of 979 alerts in North Kivu and the reporting of approximately 3,500 alerts in South Kivu.
- Support to 26 health facilities, with the average infection prevention and control (IPC) score in North Kivu increasing from 46.5% to 68.2%.
- Provision of free healthcare in South Kivu to 3 confirmed and 240 suspected cases of Bundibugyo virus disease.
- Reaching 608,414 people in North Kivu with information on disease prevention and outbreak response.
- Delivery of 246 mental health consultations in South Kivu.
- Support for 24 incident management and health emergency coordination meetings across the two provinces.
Furthermore, the intervention helped strengthen local health teams and diagnostic services, while improving access to emergency medical care. In particular, the repair of an ambulance belonging to Uvira General Referral Hospital enabled 130 patient referrals in June 2026, including 45 gunshot casualties.
Particular emphasis was also placed on mobilising and training community health workers and local leaders, raising public awareness, and strengthening protection and accountability mechanisms.