Cross-Border Transmission Raises Regional Alarm
As torrential rains sweep through West and Central Africa, the spectre of a worsening cholera crisis has emerged, placing an estimated 80,000 children at high risk. The threat is being driven by active outbreaks in key countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Nigeria, which are heightening the possibility of cross-border transmission into vulnerable neighbouring nations.
Chad, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and the Republic of Congo are already grappling with confirmed cases, while others—such as Niger, Benin, Liberia, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic—remain on high alert due to deteriorating sanitation and health infrastructure.
According to UNICEF, urgent, coordinated action is required to prevent the disease from spreading further and to avert a full-blown regional epidemic.
“This Is a Matter of Survival,” UNICEF Warns
The dire situation was underscored by Gilles Fagninou, UNICEF’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, who noted that the combination of intense rainfall, widespread flooding, and the displacement of populations is fuelling the cholera threat.
“With access to safe water and hygiene conditions already dire, urgent action is needed,” said Fagninou. “This is a matter of survival.”
Children are particularly vulnerable to the disease, especially those under five, who face increased susceptibility to severe dehydration, poor sanitation, and lack of clean water.
DRC Faces Worst Cholera Crisis in Years
The Democratic Republic of the Congo remains the hardest hit. As of July, the DRC has recorded over 38,000 cholera cases and 951 deaths, with young children representing more than a quarter of infections. The most affected provinces include South and North Kivu, Haut Katanga, Tshopo, Tanganyika, Maniema, and Haut Lomami.
In Kinshasa, the situation has escalated sharply, with recent floods overwhelming the city’s fragile healthcare system. The case fatality rate has reached a worrying 8%, signalling a potentially devastating epidemic if immediate containment strategies are not implemented.
Chad's Refugee Communities at Imminent Risk
Chad has also reported a surge in suspected cholera cases among displaced communities. At the Dougui refugee site, near the Sudanese border, 55 suspected cases and four deaths have been recorded, with laboratory confirmation of Vibrio cholerae.
Overcrowding, limited access to clean drinking water, and poor sanitation are increasing the vulnerability of these communities, most of whom are children living in temporary shelters. Without swift intervention, health officials warn of a rapid escalation in cases.
Nigeria and Other Neighbours Under Pressure
Nigeria, long familiar with recurring cholera outbreaks, remains the second most affected country in the region. As of the end of June, it had documented 3,109 suspected cases and 86 deaths across 34 states. Cholera is endemic in Nigeria, particularly during the rainy season, when floods contaminate water sources and hygiene conditions deteriorate.
Other countries also facing active outbreaks include:
- Ghana: 612 cases reported as of April 28, 2025
- Côte d’Ivoire: 322 cases and 15 deaths as of July 14, 2025
- Togo: 209 cases and five deaths as of June 22, 2025
These figures highlight the scale of the regional challenge and the urgent need for scaled-up responses.
UNICEF Responds but Needs $20 Million Urgently
In response to the expanding cholera threat, UNICEF has been delivering critical health supplies, water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH) materials, and supporting vaccination efforts across the affected zones. The organisation is also intensifying public health messaging to improve hygiene and encourage early treatment-seeking behaviour.
However, the scale of the crisis demands more resources. UNICEF has appealed for $20 million in emergency funding over the next three months to sustain its operations and expand life-saving interventions in at-risk communities.
“We are in a race against time,” said Fagninou. “Together with partners, we are strengthening community engagement and reaching remote areas to ensure that no child is left behind.”
The Road Ahead: Prevention and Preparedness
With the peak of the rainy season still ahead, public health authorities and humanitarian organisations are urging greater regional cooperation, enhanced surveillance, and community-driven prevention efforts.
Without swift and sustained intervention, the risk of a widespread cholera emergency in West and Central Africa remains dangerously high—particularly for the youngest and most vulnerable members of society.