MOGADISHU, Somalia (KAAB TV) – As flooding ravages towns across Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions in Somalia, concerns over a potential cholera outbreak have been raised by humanitarian agencies such as the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The resurgence of cholera, a disease that had remained dormant for over two years, poses a grave threat to the already vulnerable population.
Since the beginning of the year, Somalia has witnessed a significant surge in cholera cases, with a staggering total of 4,956 new cases reported, according to recent data. Alarmingly, 62% of these cases are classified as severe, indicating the severity of the outbreak.
In March 2024 alone, the country recorded 2,794 new cholera cases, accompanied by 25 tragic deaths attributed to the disease. These figures underscore the urgency of the situation and the pressing need for coordinated intervention.
Photographic evidence from Jowhar city depicts the grim reality faced by internally displaced persons (IDPs) as their camps are submerged under water, a consequence of the swollen river banks resulting from the relentless Gu’ rains.
The inundation of these camps exacerbates the already dire living conditions, leaving the displaced population even more vulnerable to waterborne diseases such as cholera.
In response to the escalating crisis, the Ministry of Health of the Federal Government of Somalia has announced plans to vaccinate over 1 million people against cholera in collaboration with UNICEF and WHO.
Despite these efforts, the death toll continues to rise, underscoring the urgent need for sustained and comprehensive intervention measures to contain the outbreak and mitigate its impact on the affected communities.
