The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that about 80,000 children are at risk of cholera as heavy rainfall, widespread flooding and mass displacement continue to worsen humanitarian conditions in parts of West and Central Africa.
In a statement, UNICEF’s Regional Office for West and Central Africa said the deteriorating situation has heightened the vulnerability of children, particularly in communities with limited access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services.
The agency noted that ongoing flooding has disrupted access to essential services and increased the risk of waterborne diseases, placing thousands of children in danger.
UNICEF said it is responding to the crisis but stressed that additional funding is urgently needed to expand life-saving interventions and improve access to clean water and sanitation facilities.
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by the consumption of food or water contaminated with bacteria. While the disease can be effectively treated with oral rehydration solutions and antibiotics, it can become fatal within hours if left untreated.
To strengthen its emergency response, UNICEF said it urgently requires $20 million over the next three months to scale up critical support in health, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), risk communication and community engagement programmes.
The agency called on donors and partners to provide immediate support to help prevent the further spread of the disease and protect vulnerable children from the growing public health threat.
