HIGHLIGHTS
CAR Government declares a cholera epidemic in the country on 10 August.
19 August, World Humanitarian Day celebrated in CAR.
Tribute paid to fallen heroes.Multi-sectoral assistance including food security provided through cash and voucher projects.
Communities take part in their own redress through the non-food items voucher system.
Humanitarian Community responds to a cholera epidemic in CAR.
The CAR Government declared a cholera epidemic in the country on 10 August after samples taken tested positive for the cholera disease. As of 25 August, at least 235 cholera cases have been registered and 25 persons dead. The disease was detected in Mourou-Fleuve village, Djoukou sub-province (Kemo province) in the central region on 27 July. Reportedly, the disease was imported from the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo where more than 60 cases and 2 deaths have been reported as of end of August.
In response, the Public Health Emergency Operations Center activated its crisis unit at the Ministry of Health and the humanitarian community is actively supporting the Government’s efforts to combat this deadly disease.
While commenting to the cholera epidemic in a press release, the Humanitarian Coordinator for CAR Fabrizio Hochschild said, “The UN and our humanitarian partners are fully committed to supporting the Government and local communities in addressing the current cholera epidemic. We will work together to contain the spread of the disease and to ensure that the people affected receive the necessary assistance,” Humanitarian actors working in the sectors of health, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH); led by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have set up a task force to ensure coherent and effective response to the crisis. Pre-positioned supplies are being used to provide immediate response while assessments to determine needs are ongoing. The WASH partners have set-up water chlorination points while also distributing water kits comprising of aqua tabs, jerry cans and soap among others. The health cluster is providing medical care to the people affected in the Cholera Treatment Centers. Community workers including the Red Cross and UNICEF volunteers are carrying out sensitization campaigns.
The humanitarian community is intensifying cholera sensitization campaigns including good hygiene practices countrywide. A toll-free number has been activated and remains operational for any cholera-related issues from the general public.
The Humanitarian Pooled Fund for CAR has allocated US$1.5 million to the WASH and health response to the cholera epidemic. As most affected areas are along the Oubangui River, the Democratic Republic of Congo and CAR are coordinating response to this cross-border crisis. Access to basic social services in CAR healthcare remains challenging. The humanitarian community is providing 51% of medical services in the country.