Conflict regions experience cholera outbreaks
In the face of the spreading cholera epidemic in conflict zones such as Sudan, South Sudan, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Yemen, the international community is mobilizing coordinated emergency responses. These efforts aim to provide essential healthcare, improve water and sanitation systems, and launch vaccination campaigns.
Key actors in this mission include the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the International Rescue Committee (IRC), and local ministries of health.
One of the primary focuses is treating and providing healthcare, including managing complications like severe malnutrition. For instance, in Sudan's Blue Nile state, MSF and the Ministry of Health expanded a treatment center in Damazin from 50 to 250 beds to cater to the growing demand.
Another crucial aspect is addressing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) issues. Organizations like UNICEF are working to provide safe drinking water, chlorinate water supplies, distribute hygiene kits, and set up water stations. In North Darfur, Sudan, UNICEF has scaled up access to safe water for tens of thousands amid an acute crisis exacerbated by displacement and infrastructure breakdown.
Mass cholera vaccination campaigns are also underway in coordination with local health authorities, UNICEF, and WHO, particularly in Darfur and other severely affected areas.
Rapid response and surveillance teams have been established by WHO and partners, deployed for outbreak surveillance, and stocks of essential cholera supplies have been stockpiled in inaccessible or severely affected regions such as Darfur and Kordofan.
Public health awareness campaigns on cholera prevention and early treatment are being conducted in refugee camps and local communities. Given that malnutrition significantly increases the cholera mortality risk, agencies are integrating nutrition support with cholera response efforts.
UN agencies and NGOs are advocating for safe and unimpeded access to conflict zones, highlighting that fighting, bureaucratic delays, and looted aid convoys severely hamper response efforts and the delivery of vital supplies.
Kathryn Alberti, a cholera expert at the WHO, has emphasized that cholera can be prevented and is easily treatable. However, she also notes that conflicts are fueling the cholera outbreak in these countries. As of this year, there have been 390,000 cases of cholera in 31 countries, with 4,300 deaths, according to the WHO.
Access to clean drinking water is a key factor in combating cholera in these countries, where people often have only three liters of water a day for drinking, washing, and cooking. The lack of access to clean drinking water in these countries is a significant concern.
These combined emergency healthcare, WASH, and nutrition interventions, coordinated between international NGOs, UN agencies, and national health authorities, aim to curb the cholera spread amid the complex challenges posed by ongoing conflicts and displacement.
- Who, being a cholera expert at the World Health Organization (WHO), has emphasized that cholera can be prevented and is easily treatable, also notes that conflicts are fueling the cholera outbreak in conflict zones.
- In light of the cholera epidemic, science, particularly medical-conditions like cholera, health-and-wellness, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) issues, and nutrition support, are vital for alert global responses in areas affected by conflict.
