Kinshasa August 31 2022 A UNICEF multi-sectoral team and critical equipment have been deployed to Sankuru County to assist the Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Prevention in controlling and eliminating the most recent outbreak of cholera.
More than 30,000 people are at risk of this new outbreak, including more than 17,000 children. UNICEF is concerned about the alarming case fatality rate of nearly 10%. Of the 259 suspected cases reported as of August 29, 24 have lost their lives, including 8 children.
“The cholera outbreak is of great concern to us because there are many channels of communication in the area. Children are often the first victims of cholera, which can spread very quickly if our actions are not intensified,” said Grant Leite, UNICEF Representative in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Available time”.
Health, Water, Sanitation and Community Engagement professionals have been on the ground since August 17th. More than 7 tons of medical equipment, water, hygiene and sanitation have been dispatched to the site to support all measures taken by the county authorities.
“There are many challenges at the site, where there is a shortage of staff and resources. Many areas are isolated and mobile communications are very limited, which has consequences for the monitoring and response of response teams,” Grant Leaity said.
UNICEF has already mobilized US$170,000 of its own funds to respond to this emergency. A total of US$2.3 million is now needed to boost emergency activities, stem the spread of this pandemic and protect children in the affected health districts of Sankuru County, as well as in neighboring counties.
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