The UN Health Agency recorded nearly 810,000 cases and 5,900 deaths as a result of the preventable illness of 2024; That’s about 50 percent higher than the previous year, according to Dr. Philippe Barboza, who leads who is cholera team.
He said that the latest reported cases are almost certainly underestimated and that the disease continues to affect countries that were previously cholera-free.
Financing cuts
The latest cuts to international aid financing also prevent the answer, Dr. Barboza, giving the example of how in the previous two years a $ 6 million donation would have enabled who can fully control any outbreak that occurs in either Malawi or Zambia.
“But this amount is not available. So this is a very big concern … Outbreaks get worse and worse, more obedient and more deadly, but the funds are getting smaller and smaller.”
WHO data shows that for the first time in 10 years, Namibia reported infections this year, while Kenya, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe are also experiencing a resurgence.
Angola has also reported on nearly 10,000 chooling infections so far in 2025 and 380 people have died of the disease until the end of March.
Its capital Luanda has been severely affected. In the last 28 days, the country reported nearly 3,500 cases – accounting for 56 percent of all cases throughout Africa.
Conflict, mass displacement, natural disasters and climate change have intensified outbreaks, especially in rural and flooded areas, with poor infrastructure and limited access to healthcare.
But that’s not all the downfall and gloom. In September, the production of cholera vaccines reached record levels with the highest number of doses since 2013.
“We also need to increase funding to support the response effort,” Dr. Barboza.
The situation remains critical in eastern Dr. Congo, says peacekeepers
The UN peacekeeping mission of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Monusco, continues to implement its mandates in the midst of a still critical security situation in Restive East, UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said Friday.
While mutual attacks between Codeco and Zaire militia continue to target civilians in Ituri, Monusco continues to “push to an effective process of local political dialogue and negotiate safe release of abducted civilians”, including children.
As for the situation in the regional capital Goma, exceeded by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in January, Mr. Dujarric that “non-essential international UN staff return to Goma,” even though “the” protection situation during the M23 occupation remains challenging “.
Mass shifts
On the humanitarian end, renewed hostilities in northern Kivu have between armed groups in Ruthuru “triggered the shift of about 7,500 people,” Mr. Dujarric.
Local partners have also reported an attack on Mukongola General Referral Hospital of armed elements in South Kivu Province. “The vandalized motherhood department, the pharmaceutical supplies and wounded at least one individual,” he added.
While Mr. Dujarric said that “humanitarian partners [were] Working tirelessly to scale up help despite the uncertainty and the limitations, “the UN colleagues on Earth have reported that” ongoing military operations continue to hinder humanitarian access. “
“We repeat our call for immediate, secure and sustained access to all areas,” the UN spokesman concluded.
Pandemic Control Exercise Puts Whom the Emergency System On Trial
The World Health Organization (which has successfully completed a two-day exercise that simulates the outbreak of a fictional virus that spreads all over the world and what it will take to contain it.
Called by more than 15 countries, 20 regional health agencies, Health Nutres and Other Partners, “Exercise Polaris” was designed to test a new global coordination mechanism for health emergencies, during the umbrella of WHO’s Global Health Emergency Corps (GHEC).
“This exercise proves that when countries lead and partners connect, the world is better prepared,” said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Coordination and collaboration
GHEC’s structure, which emphasizes the importance of coordinating the inauguration of surge teams and experts – and to improve cooperation between countries – “shows that global cooperation is not only possible, it is important,” Tedros said. “No country can meet the next pandemic alone.”
Throughout the simulation, while countries led their own response efforts that provided technical guidance and emergency.
“The global health corps has evolved into a strong platform based on practice, trust and connection,” Dr. Mike Ryan, CEO of WHO’s Health Emergency Program. “Exercise Polaris showed what is possible when countries operate with urgent and unit supported by well -connected partners.”
