War’s Deadly Double-Edged Sword: Conflict Fuels Disease Spread in Congo, Sudan, and Yemen

The images from war-torn regions are all too familiar: civilians displaced by conflict, struggling to access basic necessities like clean water, sanitation, and healthcare. But the convergence of armed violence and infectious disease is a particularly insidious phenomenon, one that has come to define the humanitarian crises in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan, and Yemen.

The current Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC is a stark example of this trend. With over 1,900 confirmed cases and 719 deaths since May, this crisis has been exacerbated by the ongoing armed conflict between rebel groups and government forces. The World Health Organization’s declaration of a public health emergency has done little to stem the tide of infections, as health workers struggle to reach affected areas amidst military interference.

The deliberate targeting of healthcare infrastructure by warring parties is a major contributor to this devastating synergy. According to security expert Juste Codjo, “Health workers, treatment centers, laboratories, ambulances, and medical supply routes must be protected from military interference and political competition.” This is not merely a matter of practical necessity; international humanitarian law obliges belligerents to respect the principles of distinction and proportionality in their conduct.

Conflict also fuels disease spread through displacement. As millions of people are forced from their homes, they become vulnerable to conditions that facilitate the transmission of infectious diseases like Ebola and cholera. This creates a vicious cycle: as disease outbreaks worsen, so too do tensions between rival factions vying for control.

In Sudan and Yemen, ongoing conflicts have hampered efforts to contain cholera outbreaks, leading to devastating consequences. Over 3,500 lives were lost in Sudan since 2024, with many more at risk in Yemen.

History offers glimmers of hope, however. During the civil war in El Salvador (1980-1992), warring parties agreed to three one-day ceasefires to allow aid organizations to conduct safe vaccination campaigns against childhood diseases. This precedent shows that even amidst chaos, there are ways to protect vulnerable populations from disease.

But as we watch this unfolding drama in eastern Congo, it’s hard not to feel a sense of déjà vu. Researchers documented a clear correlation between violence and Ebola transmission in 2018: when rebels attacked health centers or disrupted vaccination efforts, the virus spread rapidly, infecting nearly two additional people for every one case detected.

In Ituri province, rebel groups and government forces are locked in a struggle for control, repeating this pattern of violence and disease. The AFC/M23 coalition has set up its own emergency zone to deal with Ebola cases – a move that has sparked accusations of using the virus as a tool of war.

As we navigate this complex web of conflict and disease, it’s clear that the international community must find new ways to support health workers on the ground. This means not only protecting them from military interference but also engaging local leaders and faith communities in trust-building efforts.

The stakes are too high to ignore. In a world where conflict and disease are increasingly intertwined, we risk losing countless lives unless we can break this deadly cycle once and for all.