Cholera Crisis: Children at Risk in West & Central Africa
Cholera Crisis Grips West and Central Africa: Children Most at Risk Amidst Flooding and Displacement
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West and Central Africa is facing a severe cholera crisis,with heavy rains,widespread flooding,and significant displacement exacerbating the risk of transmission and placing the lives of children in grave danger.
“The heavy rains, widespread flooding, and the high level of displacement are all fuelling the risk of cholera transmission and putting the lives of children at risk,” stated Gilles Fagninou, UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa.
Cholera, an acute diarrheal infection caused by consuming contaminated food or water, can be fatal within hours if left untreated. While treatable with oral rehydration solution and antibiotics, young children are particularly vulnerable due to factors such as poor hygiene, inadequate sanitation, limited access to safe water, and a higher susceptibility to severe dehydration.
Regional hotspots Grapple with Escalating Outbreaks
Active cholera outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Nigeria are a significant concern, fueling the risk of cross-border transmission to neighboring countries.
The DRC is currently the hardest-hit nation in the region, reporting over 38,000 cases and 951 deaths in July alone.Children under five years old now represent nearly 26 percent of these cases. Without more robust containment measures, the DRC could face its worst cholera crisis since 2017.
The situation in the capital, Kinshasa, is particularly critical. Intense rainfall and widespread flooding over the past four weeks have led to a sharp surge in cases, overwhelming an already strained healthcare system. The city is now contending with an alarming case fatality rate of 8 percent.
Nigeria ranks as the second most affected country in the region, having recorded 3,109 suspected cholera cases and 86 deaths by the end of June. Cholera is endemic in Nigeria, with major outbreaks recurring in recent years.
A Region-Wide Crisis Demands Urgent Action
Beyond the DRC and Nigeria, several other countries are grappling with ongoing cholera epidemics. Chad, the Republic of Congo, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo are all experiencing significant outbreaks.
As of April 28, Ghana had reported 612 cholera cases. Côte d’Ivoire recorded 322 cases and 15 deaths as of July 14,while Togo reported 209 cases and five deaths by June 22.
Moreover, Niger, Liberia, Benin, the Central African Republic, and Cameroon are under close surveillance due to their heightened vulnerability to the disease.
UNICEF’s Critical Response and Funding Appeal
Urgent and scaled-up efforts are imperative to prevent further spread and contain the cholera disease across the region. UNICEF has been actively delivering life-saving health, water, hygiene, and sanitation (WASH) supplies to treatment facilities and affected communities.
The agency is also supporting cholera vaccination campaigns, bolstering preparedness and response mechanisms, and actively encouraging families to seek timely treatment and adopt improved hygiene practices.
“We are in a race against time, working hand in hand with the authorities to deliver essential healthcare, safe water, and proper nutrition to children already at risk of deadly diseases and severe acute malnutrition,” Fagninou emphasized. “Together with an array of partners, we are strengthening community engagement and extending our reach to remote and underserved areas, making every effort to ensure that no child is left behind.”
To bolster these critical interventions, UNICEF West and Central Africa urgently requires $20 million over the next three months to scale up essential support in health, WASH, and risk dialog and community engagement.