Cholera Threatens 80,000 Children in West and Central Africa Amid Rainy Season

Cholera Threatens 80,000 Children in West and Central Africa Amid Rainy Season
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As the rainy season intensifies across West and Central Africa, an estimated 80,000 children face a heightened risk of cholera, UNICEF has warned. Active outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Nigeria have increased the likelihood of cross-border transmission to neighboring countries, prompting urgent calls for action.

The DRC remains the hardest-hit, with over 38,000 cholera cases and 951 deaths reported in July alone. Children under five represent more than a quarter of those infected. Provinces such as South Kivu, North Kivu, and Haut Katanga are among the most affected. In the capital, Kinshasa, a sharp rise in cases over the past month has overwhelmed the health system, with the case fatality rate reaching 8 percent.

Other countries grappling with outbreaks include Chad, where suspected cases were identified at a refugee camp near the Sudanese border, as well as Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and the Republic of Congo. Nigeria, the second most affected country in the region, has recorded over 3,100 suspected cases and 86 deaths as of late June.

UNICEF is delivering health supplies, supporting vaccinations, and promoting hygiene awareness in affected communities. The agency is also boosting preparedness in high-risk areas and is seeking $20 million in emergency funding to expand its response over the next three months. UNICEF Regional Director Gilles Fagninou emphasized the urgency of the situation, calling for swift action to prevent further spread and safeguard vulnerable children across the region.