As heavy rains sweep across West and Central Africa, nearly 80,000 children are now at serious risk of cholera.
The growing danger of cholera outbreaks is increased by ongoing cases in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), boosting the chances of the disease spreading across borders. Countries like Chad, Republic of Congo, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo are already battling persistent epidemics facing them, while others, Niger, Liberia, Benin, Central African Republic, and Cameroon, are being closely monitored due to their high vulnerability and high chances of contraction. There is an urgent need to ramp up efforts to contain the disease and stop it from spreading further.
“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,” said UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Gilles Fagninou. “With access to safe water and hygiene conditions already dire, urgent action is needed. This is a matter of survival.”
