2023-07-13 08:12:14
The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has allocated $750,000 for proactive actions to prevent and control the risk of spreading cholera in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The funds were allocated to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) following three consecutive weeks of above-average number of cases in Kiambi health zone , in the province of Tanganyika.
The allocation will enable agencies and their local partners to rapidly detect cases, ensure access to clean water and sanitation for at-risk communities, provide medical care and promote clean water practices. sanitation to reduce the spread of disease.
“I am once once more concerned regarding the additional burden that cholera is placing on already extremely vulnerable communities in the DRC. But I find great relief in the proactive response framework that the country team has put in place. For the second time this year, CERF funds for anticipatory action once morest cholera come at the right time to provide life-saving assistance to more than 100,000 people, and to prevent and contain the spread of the disease,” said Bruno. Lemarquis, Humanitarian Coordinator in the DRC in a press release sent to ACTUALITE.CD on Wednesday July 12.
This financial aid is part of a project called “Anticipatory action once morest cholera”, which involves the humanitarian community and the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The aim of the project is to detect disease outbreaks and respond to them before they turn into large-scale epidemics. The funds complement several recent CERF allocations to scale up the humanitarian response in territories affected by a deteriorating humanitarian situation.
“It is essential that the Congolese authorities and humanitarian and development partners work together to prevent, anticipate and respond more quickly to epidemics, and we are working with local authorities to strengthen their capacities”, declared Mr. Lemarquis recalling “An investment more important in national and local systems, especially for health surveillance and response preparedness, can help reduce humanitarian and emergency responses.”
In 2022, the DRC reported 18,507 cholera cases and 296 deaths nationwide. Since the beginning of this year, the DRC has reported 18,844 new cases and 102 deaths. The framework’s first activation in January was prompted by the increase in cases in the Nyiragongo health zone in North Kivu.
Clement MUAMBA
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