Measles vaccinations begin in rebel-held Congo almost a year after deadly outbreak

KACHEHEMBE, Congo — Measles vaccines have arrived in a rebel-held area of eastern Congo nearly a year after a deadly outbreak of the highly contagious disease began.

The seizure of parts of the region early this year by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels has affected the delivery of health care in one of the world's most dire humanitarian crises, residents and aid groups have said.

This week, anxious parents clutching small children have been lining up in Kachehembe in North Kivu province to receive the vaccine from medical charity Doctors Without Borders, also known as MSF.

“Children are suffering greatly from this disease,” said Silas Bazimaziki Rugiriki, a father who brought his son.

Africa has seen measles outbreaks across multiple countries. Congo has reported over 36,000 suspected cases an