UNHCR Urges Global Support Amid Growing Mpox Outbreak in Africa
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has issued a stark warning regarding the escalating mpox outbreak in Africa, particularly affecting refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Without urgent international assistance, the outbreak could have devastating consequences for vulnerable populations already grappling with the impacts of conflict and displacement.
As of August 2024, the DRC’s South Kivu Province has reported at least 42 suspected mpox cases among refugees, with additional cases identified in neighboring countries, including the Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. The World Health Organization (WHO) has documented over 18,000 suspected cases and 615 deaths in the DRC alone, alongside more than 220 cases of the new clade 1b strain in bordering nations.
The situation is particularly dire in conflict-impacted regions, which host around 7.3 million internally displaced individuals. Many of these communities lack adequate resources to implement essential mpox prevention measures. Overcrowded shelters, poor sanitation, and limited access to humanitarian aid exacerbate the risk of transmission. Displaced families often live in cramped conditions, making isolation during illness nearly impossible.
UNHCR has been working closely with national health authorities and the WHO to enhance health system preparedness, including increasing handwashing facilities in refugee camps and screening at camp entrances. However, the rapid evolution of the outbreak has outpaced the availability of community health workers, limiting effective outreach and education efforts.
Despite the urgent need for assistance, UNHCR’s humanitarian response in the DRC has received only 37% of the required $250 million funding for 2024. The agency emphasizes that international solidarity is crucial for expanding health services, establishing isolation centers, and providing access to clean water and sanitation.
