WHO Regional Office For Africa
Press Release
Analysis of the seven countries in the greater Horn of Africa - Djibouti,
Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda – recorded 39 reported
outbreaks, flooding and other acute public health events between 1 January
and 30 October 2022. This is already the highest annual reported number since
2000, with two months left in the year. Outbreaks of anthrax, measles, cholera,
yellow fever, chikungunya, meningitis, and other infectious diseases account
for more than 80% of the acute public health events reported, with drought,
flooding and other disasters accounting for 18%.
Millions of children under the age of five years are estimated to be facing
acute malnutrition, increasing their risk of not only starvation, but also of
severe outcomes during a disease outbreak due to weakened immunity.
Malnourished children are more susceptible to common childhood diseases.
Globally, 45% of under-5 deaths are associated with malnutrition.
“In the past four years, the number of people facing acute hunger in the
greater Horn of Africa have more than doubled. We must put a stop to this
exponential rise in misery. Between malnutrition and death there is often
disease. The dire conditions in the greater Horn of Africa are a perfect storm
for outbreaks, which unless we act quickly will flare up with increasing
intensity,” added Dr Moeti. To mount an effective emergency response to the
crisis on our doorstep, we need US$124 million, but have only received 34% of
our request up to now.”
Vaccination coverage in the region of life-saving childhood vaccines is well
below the necessary threshold to prevent disease outbreaks. In most countries
of the region, measles vaccination coverage is too low to prevent cases and all
greater Horn of Africa countries have had to deal with measles outbreaks in
2022.
Drought is not the only extreme weather event the region is fighting. South
Sudan is experiencing its fourth consecutive year of flooding with 40% of the
country under water. Heavy rains and flash floods continue to affect tens of
thousands of people across neighbouring Sudan. The floods have destroyed or
damaged thousands of houses and tens of health facilities, water sources, and
latrines in 15 states. Additionally, livestock and a wide area of agricultural
land have been affected by floods, which contribute to food insecurity.
Food insecurity, resulting from flooding and drought, along with conflict, the
fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, and high food and fuel prices, has forced
people to flee their homes and the region now has 4.5 million refugees and
asylum seekers as well as 12.7 million internally displaced people. The
displacement of people often means they will miss out on the healthcare they
need, including preventive care. Crowded temporary shelters with poor water and
sanitation conditions can contribute to an increased risk of outbreaks.
In response to the deepening health crisis, WHO is focused on ensuring that
vulnerable populations, especially children have access to essential health
services, protecting populations from diseases through immunization campaigns,
detecting and responding to outbreaks and providing treatment for severe acute
malnutrition, among other actions.
WHO has mobilized over US$7 million in supplies and equipment for the greater
Horn of Africa including US$3 million in kits to severe malnutrition, or
diseases such as cholera and measles. The Organization has also trained thousands
of health workers across the region on the management of acute malnutrition.
“WHO urgently needs partners to come together to support the food insecurity
response in the region,” says Dr Egmond Evers, acting Incident Manager, WHO
greater Horn of Africa response “We must ensure a strong health response to
prevent disease and death from health risks related to the food insecurity. We
need more essential medical equipment and supplies, vaccines, medicines, and
kits to support essential health services. We must step up critical actions
like vaccinations and improve surveillance to prevent outbreaks from getting
out of hand. We cannot delay any longer. We must act now.”
WHO held a press conference today with Dr John Rumunu, Director-General of
Preventive Health Services, Ministry of Health, South Sudan, Lt. Col Dr Henry
Kyobe Bossa, Incident Commander for Ebola outbreak, Ministry of Health, Uganda,
Dr Egmond Evers, Acting Incident Manager for Greater Horn of Africa Food
Insecurity and Health and Dr Patrick Otim, WHO Africa’s Incident Manager for
the Ebola outbreak in Uganda.
Brazzaville, 3 November 2022
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