New York (United Nations) 29/03/2023 (MAP) – The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for emergency funding to broaden efforts to reach millions living across 11 eastern and southern African countries which have been hit hard by fast-spreading cholera outbreaks.
“The cholera outbreak in eastern and southern Africa isn’t just an outbreak; it’s an emergency for children,” the agency said.
Calling for $171 million in funds to support 28 million people suffering in the region, UNICEF said tailored responses are already reaching many impacted, but more must urgently be done.
The agency said the worst cholera outbreaks to hit the region in years, are now unfolding in Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
As such, UNICEF is developing individualized cholera response plans based on the unique conditions within each affected country. For instance, budgets for both Malawi and Mozambique include requirements to address each country’s recent flooding following the devasting effects of cyclone Freddy which has fuelled the spread of the acute often water-borne disease.
Cholera outbreaks are exacerbated by poverty, disasters, conflict, and climate change consequences, like extreme storms and flooding, as well as a lack of access to safe water and sanitation, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.
The world has been grappling since mid-2021 with an acute upsurge in what is the seventh deadly cholera pandemic in recorded history, WHO said.
The pandemic is characterized by the number, size and concurrence of multiple outbreaks, the spread to areas which have been free of cholera for decades, and alarmingly high mortality rates.
The UN health agency estimated in February that one billion people in at least 43 countries are at risk.
For children, the risk is high, UNICEF said, adding that the needs in affected communities in eastern and southern Africa are growing.
UNICEF is currently frontloading its internal core resources to respond to the emergency “on a no-regrets basis”, the agency said. This includes new loan and grant financing and repurposed key resources to fast-track procurement needs and enhanced community outreach.
The UN agency is focused on mobilizing essential life-saving support, that includes emergency health supplies, medical products, technical support for outbreak control, risk communication and community engagement for prevention and early treatment, and safe water and nutrition supplies.
While generous partners have already contributed $18.3 million to support the cholera response, a regional funding gap needs to be swiftly bridged to broaden an effective response.
“For UNICEF and its partners to respond quickly and equitably based on need, especially in underfunded sectors, flexible resources will play a critical role,” the agency said. “Help us eradicate cholera and remove this burden from children and families who are already carrying too much,” UNICEF said.