The World Health Organization (WHO) allocated 16 million dollars from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to address the issue of cholera.
During an online press conference, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO, announced this allocation.
He mentioned that the organization is facilitating the distribution of crucial resources, collaborating with partners for on-the-ground responses, assisting countries in cholera detection, prevention, and treatment, and educating the public on protective measures.
“To support this work, we have appealed for 160 million dollars, and we have released more than 16 million dollars from the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies.
“But the real solution to cholera lies in ensuring everyone has access to safe water and sanitation, which is an internationally recognized human right,” he said.
He stated that WHO had recently released updated data revealing that the number of reported cases in 2022 had exceeded double the figures recorded in 2021. Additionally, he pointed out that early data for 2023 indicated the likelihood of an even more alarming situation.
“So far, 28 countries have reported cases in 2023 compared with 16 during the same period in 2022.
“The countries with the most concerning outbreaks right now are Ethiopia, Haiti, Iraq and Sudan.
“Significant progress has been made in countries in Southern Africa, including Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, but these countries remain at risk as the rainy season approaches,” Ghebreyesus said.
He emphasized that the most severely impacted nations and communities are those characterized by poverty, lacking access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities. Additionally, they confront challenges such as a scarcity of oral cholera vaccines and essential resources, along with healthcare personnel stretched thin as they contend with numerous disease outbreaks and other health crises.
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