Cholera – another threat to children’s survival in Syria
UNICEF and partners are responding to halt the outbreak
On 10 September 2022, the cholera outbreak was declared in Syria. In the past weeks, thousands of cases of acute watery diarrhoea have been reported. Reports also indicate that children under the age of five account for 18 per cent of all suspected cholera cases.[1]
Cholera is yet another threat to children’s survival in Syria. To keep children safe, UNICEF continues to invest in preventive measures and scale up a rapid response to curb the spread of the disease and limit its negative impacts.
As part of the ongoing response, supported by UNICEF and WHO, UNICEF is mobilizing health, water, hygiene, and sanitation supplies and expertise in the affected governorates.
Chlorination activities to disinfect water are being scaled up and dosing rates are being increased in fragile and highly vulnerable communities to curb the spread of the disease. Clean water is also being trucked to affected locations.
With UNICEF coordinating, religious leaders, community heads and local volunteers, and organisations have been mobilised to encourage good hygiene practices and help refer suspected cases to health facilities. Key messages on cholera prevention are also disseminated as part of child protection and education services.
Orientation sessions with health care workers, door-to-door household visits and community dialogues are part of the community-based awareness raising efforts to provide families with correct information and to improve reporting symptoms and seeking treatment.
UNICEF is working closely with WHO and partners on the ground. More funding is urgently needed to halt the outbreak and prevent loss of life.
[1] The figures indicated are from 26 September 2022. With the evolving situation, they will also change.
