The cholera outbreak in North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to concern UNICEF. According to this UN agency, more than 8,000 children have already been affected by this disease, making this epidemic the worst since 2017 in the country.
Shameza Abdulla, UNICEF’s senior emergency coordinator in the DRC, says the scale of this cholera outbreak should raise alarm bells. The situation is all the more worrying in IDP sites, where health systems are already overwhelmed and where the spread of the disease may be facilitated.
To deal with this epidemic and take care of 1.8 million people, including 1 million children, threatened by cholera, UNICEF is appealing for funds for 62.5 million dollars. This sum will be used to strengthen prevention and response activities for the next five months.
The province of North Kivu has experienced a massive influx of displaced populations due to violence perpetrated by M23 terrorists. This situation further weakens the already precarious health systems and increases the risk of the epidemic spreading.
In 2017, a cholera epidemic affected the whole country, including the capital Kinshasa, with nearly 55,000 cases and more than 1,100 deaths. It is therefore urgent to take measures to stem this new epidemic and protect the health of children in particular.
UNICEF therefore calls for international mobilization to support its actions in the fight against cholera in the DRC. Prevention, awareness and access to care are essential elements to stop the spread of the disease and preserve the lives of children in this already fragile region.
It is essential that the international community mobilizes and provides the necessary resources to prevent the disastrous consequences of this cholera epidemic