The latest on Mpox and its effect on women in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Riziki, who fled the conflict from her hometown to find refuge at a camp in Goma, said she learned about the epidepicepidemic through the local radio.

“I heard on the radio that there’s this Mpox epidemic and that we shouldn’t eat just any meat, especially smoked meat from dead animals, because that’s how the disease is transmitted.”

Shortly after she heard about the epidemic, she said, her niece, Evodie, who she took in after her sister was abandoned by her husband, developed symptoms consistent with Mpox.

“She has a kind of scab on her skin. I took her to a dispensary, and they just gave her some tablets. Here in this camp, we have no means of preventing the spread of this epidemic,” she says.

Riziki has tried to separate Evodie from the other children, knowing that Mpox can spread through touch.

“It’s not to discriminate against her, it’s just a way of limiting contamination,” she adds, highlighting the lack of proper healthcare and information.

“There are no means to prevent the spread of the disease here,” she said. “I’ve tried to separate her from the other children, but it’s impossible as we don’t have enough space.”

The outbreak has not only swept through these camps but crossed the borders of neighboring countries, threatening to escalate into a regional crisis. The lack of vaccinations and treatment options, coupled with misinformation, puts thousands more at risk daily.

“Women fleeing violence now face infection which is fast spreading in overcrowded camps where soap, clean water, and proper healthcare are scarce,” said Sidibe Kadidia, CARE DRC Country Director.

“Underage girls who have been forced to engage in sex work to provide for their families are at high risk of being infected and transmitting the disease. Women and girls taking care of infected family members, especially babies, are highly exposed.

“On top of it all, stigma and lack of accurate information about Mpox are all too common, often meaning people only seek treatment when the symptoms are already severe and highly infectious.”

Experts on the ground are urging the international community to increase direct funding to local women-led organizations, whose involvement is critical to curbing the outbreak. With only 37.4% of the humanitarian response plan funded, immediate action is needed to prevent a wider catastrophe.

The Mpox outbreak is only the latest in a series of public health emergencies in DRC even as the rainy season approaches. The deteriorating security situation has also made it extremely difficult to provide necessary humanitarian assistance, leaving many camps underserved.

“We are doing everything within our power to control this outbreak, but the truth is, we can’t do it alone,” Kadidia stressed. “Without immediate increased international support, we risk a humanitarian catastrophe that will not only ravage the DRC but could engulf the entire region. The DRC’s Mpox response must prioritize women and girls, who face unique risks.”

Despite the challenges, hope remains. Vaccination campaigns are on the horizon, and efforts to increase access to clean water, healthcare, and accurate information could significantly curb the spread of Mpox.

“Local women-led organizations are crucial in the fight against the scourge but remain underfunded,” Kadidia said. “Donors should increase direct support to these organizations to ensure effective, locally-led responses and timely access to resources. Every day we delay puts thousands more lives at risk.”