Highlights and Situation Overview
Since January 2015, 30,740 suspected cases of measles have been reported in the former Province of Katanga*. Of the 68 Health Zones (HZs) in the area, 23 are currently facing a measles epidemic.
The Provincial Response Plan, finalized last week, will require an estimated USD 4.3 million. The Pooled Fund has already provided USD 2.4 million, with USD 1.5 million to UNICEF and USD 900,000 to NGOs to finance immunization campaigns. A proposal will be submitted to the Measles and Rubella Initiative to cover the gap of USD 1.9 million.
The response is hindered by several factors including the lack of accurate data concerning the target population, insufficient cold-chain coverage, and limited access to affected HZs in remote areas and/or communities affected by armed conflict. Reinforcing the provincial Health System and the capacity of its leadership is essential.
A recent administrative reform in DRC has led to the division of Katanga into four separate provinces (Haut-Katanga, Haut-Lomami, Lualaba, and Tanganyika).