cholera

A growing cholera crisis in Yemen that has already killed more than 120 people with 11,000 suspected cases could deteriorate rapidly unless donor governments immediately send aid they pledged last month to help the struggling country, Oxfam warned today.

The emergency response in Haiti is at a standstill following nearly 48 hours of heavy rains. Helicopters are grounded, ships moored and nearly all road access blocked. Oxfam, already responding to the devastation caused by Hurricane Matthew in Haiti, is now pushing for more and immediate international support.

Food, shelter and clean water are needed urgently by people in southern Haiti following the destruction caused by Hurricane Matthew last week. Oxfam fears that the current death toll of at least 800 will increase further. The international community must act immediately to mitigate the loss of entire harvests and to counter any possible spikes of cholera. Oxfam is sending 3 tons of water purifying supplies to Haiti.

As Oxfam teams access the most affected areas in Haiti, the destruction left by hurricane Matthew is more evident, as well as the urgent humanitarian needs of those affected.

Cholera cases are rapidly increasing in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, as the cost of clean water skyrockets amid a worsening economic crisis. 

The cholera outbreak in South Sudan is a wake up call for the government and the aid world to redouble efforts to tackle a worsening cycle of misery. Money is urgently needed to fund an immediate surge in action to tackle the disease.

Overcrowding and a lack of clean water and sanitation facilities have led to cholera among the estimated 40,000 Burundian refugees including in the Tanzanian border town of Kagunga.

On Thursday 15 May the Ministry of Health announced 18 confirmed cases of cholera in various locations across Juba. The source of the disease is not yet known.

Over 700,000 vulnerable according to UN as North Kivu, in DRC, is hit by increased militarization, poor harvest & little access to clean water.

As the M23 armed group fights to take control of yet more territory in eastern DRC, and a multitude of other armed groups terrorize communities, there is a risk of complete collapse of state authority and worsening humanitarian crisis.