Cholera Outbreak in West & Central Africa: Children in Crisis
Cholera Crisis Grips West and Central Africa: Children Most at Risk Amidst Flooding and displacement
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West and Central Africa is grappling with a severe cholera outbreak, exacerbated by heavy rains, widespread flooding, and meaningful population displacement, placing the region’s most vulnerable – its 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 transmitted through contaminated food or water, can be fatal within hours if left untreated. While treatable with oral rehydration solution and antibiotics, young children are especially susceptible due to factors like poor hygiene, inadequate sanitation, limited access to safe water, and a higher risk of severe dehydration.
Regional Hotspots Fueling Cross-Border Transmission
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Nigeria are currently experiencing active cholera outbreaks, significantly increasing the risk of cross-border transmission to neighboring countries.
The DRC is 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 intensified containment measures, the DRC could face its most severe cholera crisis since 2017. The capital, Kinshasa, is in a particularly critical state, with intense rainfall and flooding causing a sharp surge in cases over the past four weeks. This surge is straining an already overwhelmed healthcare system,leading to an alarming case fatality rate of 8 percent in the city.
nigeria ranks as the second most affected country,recording 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 Epidemic: Countries Under surveillance
Beyond the primary hotspots, several other nations are contending with ongoing cholera epidemics. Chad, the Republic of Congo, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo are all reporting significant case numbers.
Ghana: Reported 612 cholera cases as of April 28.
Côte d’Ivoire: Recorded 322 cases and 15 deaths as of July 14.
* Togo: Documented 209 cases and five deaths as of June 22.Furthermore, Niger, Liberia, Benin, the Central African Republic, and cameroon are under close surveillance due to their heightened vulnerability to the escalating crisis.
UNICEF’s Urgent Response and Call for Support
UNICEF is actively engaged in a race against time to prevent further spread and contain the disease across the affected region. The agency is delivering essential health,water,hygiene,and sanitation (WASH) supplies to treatment facilities and communities.
“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,” emphasized Mr. Fagninou.
UNICEF’s efforts also include supporting cholera vaccination campaigns, scaling up preparedness and response mechanisms, and actively encouraging families to seek timely treatment and adopt improved hygiene practices.
“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,” Mr. Fagninou added.
to bolster these critical interventions, UNICEF West and Central Africa urgently requires $20 million over the next three months. This funding will be vital for scaling up support in health, WASH, and risk dialog and community engagement, aiming to mitigate the devastating impact of this escalating cholera crisis on the region’s children.