CERF allocates $750,000 for anticipatory action against cholera in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

(Kinshasa, July 12, 2023): For a second time this year, the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has allocated US$750,000 for anticipatory action to prevent and control the risk of further spread of cholera in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The funding has been allocated to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) following three consecutive weeks of an above-average number of cases in the Kiambi Health Zone in Tanganyika province. The allocation will allow agencies and their local partners to rapidly detect cases, ensure access to safe water and sanitation for communities at risk, provide medical care, and promote safe hygiene practices to reduce the spread of the disease.

"I am once again concerned about the additional burden cholera places on already extremely vulnerable communities in the DRC. But I find great relief in the anticipatory action framework the country team has put in place. For a second time this year, the release of CERF funding for anticipatory action against cholera comes at the right time to provide vital 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 2022, the DRC reported 18,507 cases of cholera and 296 deaths nationwide. So far this year, DRC has reported 18,844 new cases and 102 deaths. The first activation of the framework in January was prompted by the increase of cases in the Nyiragongo Health Zone in North Kivu.

This financial aid is part of a project called "Anticipatory action against cholera", which involves the humanitarian community and the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The purpose of the project is to detect and respond to flare-ups of the disease before they turn into large-scale outbreaks. The funding complements several recent CERF allocations to intensify the humanitarian response in the territories affected by a worsening humanitarian crisis.

"It is critical for the Congolese authorities and development and humanitarian partners to work together to prevent, anticipate, as well as respond earlier to disease outbreaks, and we are working with the local authorities to strengthen their capacities,” said Lemarquis. “More investment in national and local systems, particularly for health surveillance and response preparedness can contribute to reducing emergency and humanitarian responses."

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For more information, please contact:
Carla Martinez, Head of Office, OCHA-DRC, +243817061223, martinez14@un.org
Yvon Edoumou, Public Information Officer, +243819889136, edoumou@un.org
Information products on the humanitarian situation in the DRC are available at www.humanitarianresponse.info or www.reliefweb.int