The United Nations health agency recorded nearly 810,000 cases and 5,900 deaths by preventable disease in 2024; It is about 50% more than the previous year, according to Dr. Philippe Barboza, who directs Who’s Cholera Team.
He said the last reported cases are almost certainly underestimated and that the disease continues to affect countries that were previously without cholera.
Financing cuts
The recent reductions in the financing of international aid also hamper the answer, said Dr. Barboza, giving the example of how in the previous two years, a donation of $ 6 million would have made it possible to fully control any epidemic on Malawi or Zambia.
“But this amount of money is not available. So, it is a very major concern … Epidemics are becoming more and more worse, more deadly and deadlier, but the funds are becoming more and smaller. ”
WHO data indicates that for the first time in 10 years, Namibia has reported infections this year, while Kenya, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe are also experiencing resurgence.
Angola has also reported nearly 10,000 cholera infections so far in 2025 and 380 people died from the disease until the end of March.
His capital Luanda was seriously affected. In the past 28 days, the country has reported nearly 3,500 cases – representing 56% of all cases across Africa.
Conflicts, mass trips, natural disasters and climate change have intensified epidemics, in particular in rural areas and affected by floods, with poor infrastructure and limited access to health care.
But it is not all the misfortune and sadness. In September, the production of vaccines in cholera has reached record levels, with the greatest number of doses since 2013.
“We must also increase funding to support the response effort,” said Dr. Barboza.
The situation remains essential in eastern Dr. Congo, say the peacekeepers
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Monusco, continues to implement its mandates in the midst of a still critical security situation in the East Retive, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Friday.
While the reciprocal attacks between the Codeco and Zaire militias continue to target civilians in Ituri, Monusco continues to “put pressure on an effective process of local political dialogue and to negotiate the safe release of removed civilians”, including children.
With regard to the situation in the regional capital Goma, which was invaded by the M23 rebels supported by Rwanda in January, Mr. Dujarric said that “the non -essential international staff of the UN returns to Goma”, although “the protection situation under the occupation of the M23 remains difficult”.
Mass trips
On the humanitarian side, the hostilities renewed in northern Kivu between the armed groups of Rutshuru “triggered the displacement of some 7,500 people,” said Dujarric.
Local partners also reported a raid to the general reference hospital in Mukongola by armed elements of the Southern Kivu Province. “They vandalized maternity, pharmaceutical supplies and wounded at least one individual,” he added.
While Mr. Dujarric said that “humanitarian partners [were] Working tirelessly to increase aid despite insecurity and constraints “, UN colleagues on the ground reported that” the in progress military operations continue to prevent humanitarian access “.
“We reiterate our call for immediate, safe and supported access to all areas,” concluded the UN spokesperson.
The pandemic control exercise puts the emergency system to the test
The World Health Organization (which has successfully concluded a two -day exercise simulating the triggering of a fictitious virus spreading around the world – and what it will take to contain it.
Responded by more than 15 countries, 20 regional health agencies, health emergency networks and other partners, “Exercise Polaris” has been designed to test a new world coordination mechanism for health emergencies, under the aegis of the World Emergency Corps (GHEC).
“This exercise proves that when the countries direct and that the partners connect, the world is better prepared,” said who chef Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Coordination and collaboration
The structure of GHEC, which emphasizes the importance of coordinating the deployment of overvoltage teams and experts – and improving collaboration between countries – “shows that global cooperation is not only possible, it is essential,” said Tedros. “No country can face the following pandemic alone.”
Throughout the simulation, while the countries led their own response efforts, which have provided technical advice and emergency support.
“The Global Health Emergency Corps has become a powerful platform, based on practice, confidence and connection,” said Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of the health emergency program. “The Polaris exercise has shown what is possible when the countries operate with urgency and the unit supported by well -connected partners.”
