BUKAVU, Democratic Republic of the Congo — As the humanitarian crisis continues to escalate across eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Panzi Hospital has reported an 85% increase in newly reported survivors of sexual violence during the first six months of 2026 compared with the same period last year. The growing needs come as the country also confronts its deadliest Ebola outbreak on record. As of July 26, the World Health Organization (WHO), reported 3,262 confirmed cases, including 1,437 deaths.

Since launching our partnership with Panzi Hospital earlier this year, World Central Kitchen (WCK) has served more than 500,000 fresh meals to patients, caregivers, and medical staff, helping ensure families receiving treatment have consistent access to nourishing food.

Panzi Hospital admitted 646 newly reported survivors of sexual violence between January and June 2026. Among them were 119 women and girls who became pregnant as a result of rape, including 84 girls under the age of 18.

The psychological toll of the crisis is also placing growing pressure on communities across South Kivu. Panzi Hospital has seen the mental health needs of patients and communities increase significantly, with the province recording 91 suicides in the first five months of 2026—already three-quarters of the total number recorded throughout all of 2025, according to Panzi’s psychiatric team. 

Dr. Denis Mukwege, Founder of Panzi Hospital, says: 

“Because true healing requires more than just medical treatment, as more survivors and other patients arrive at our hospital, meeting their nutritional needs is an essential part of their care.”

Through the partnership, WCK prepares and serves fresh meals every day to patients recovering at Panzi Hospital, their caregivers, and the doctors, nurses, and staff providing lifesaving care.

José Andrés, Founder of World Central Kitchen, says: 

“Food is an important part of healing. We restore ourselves when we eat, and we can help restore others when we cook. By feeding alongside Panzi Hospital, we can help the survivors and their carers by giving them one less thing to worry about as they begin to heal.”

For more information or media enquiries, please contact:  
Roberta Alves, Director of Media Relations at ralves@worldcentralkitchen.org or +1 202.400.7483
Our full media team is reachable at press@wck.org