By John Ikani
The government of Malawi has appealed for assistance in combating a cholera outbreak that has claimed hundreds of lives.
The outbreak, which began in March 2022 and has since spread to almost all of the country’s 28 districts, has prompted the government to request support in the form of medical supplies, aid for school sanitation facilities, chlorine, oral rehydration salts, and cash.
However, the announcement has been met with criticism for directing potential donors to contact the national coordinator through a personal Gmail account rather than a government email address.
Appeal for Support in the Fight against Cholera pic.twitter.com/bVYTf46xpv
— Malawi Government🇲🇼 (@MalawiGovt) January 9, 2023
What you should know
Cholera is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae and is transmitted through contaminated water and food. Cholera outbreaks can occur in any country, but they are more common in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water.
In Africa, cholera outbreaks have occurred in many countries, including Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, and Uganda, among others.
It is difficult to determine exactly how many African countries have experienced cholera outbreaks, as not all outbreaks are reported or detected.
However, the World Health Organization (WHO) works with African countries to prevent, detect, and respond to cholera outbreaks in the region.
