UNICEF hands over emergency supplies to DMMU to strengthen Zambia’s cholera response

LUSAKA, Zambia, 19 March 2026 --- Families in 23 districts have faced heightened risk as Zambia responds to a persistent cholera outbreak that has strained community services and health facilities since the onset of the current outbreak in August 2025. Access to safe water, rapid treatment, and functional Oral Rehydration Points remain urgent needs—particularly for children, who are the most vulnerable in fast moving outbreaks.

To strengthen frontline response efforts, UNICEF today handed over a consignment of emergency WASH and health supplies valued at ZMW 1.1 million to the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU). The supplies—including cholera treatment tents, chlorine test kits, liquid chlorine, soap, toilet plates, and buckets for Oral Rehydration Points—will support districts experiencing the highest caseloads and help reduce transmission risk at both community and health facility levels.

UNICEF has been supporting the Ministry of Health across affected districts with essential WASH supplies and rapid outreach through Community-Based Volunteers, who have been providing integrated services, including malnutrition and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. Today’s handover builds on these efforts and responds to specific operational gaps identified through joint assessments with government partners.

“Cholera spreads quickly, and our biggest challenge right now is ensuring that communities have the tools to prevent infection and transmission,” said Norman Chipakupaku, National Coordinator of the DMMU. “These supplies will allow teams to set up treatment points faster, monitor and maintain safe water at community level, and protect families living in the hardest hit areas. This support helps us act at the speed the outbreak demands.”

UNICEF emphasized that children are disproportionately affected by cholera and often the first to face the consequences of unsafe water and sanitation conditions.

“Every delay in containing cholera puts more children at risk,” said Dr. Saja Abdullah, UNICEF Zambia Representative. “This contribution helps close critical gaps identified by our government partners—providing safe water, supporting rapid case management, and protecting frontline workers. We are grateful to our donors whose flexible funding allows us to respond quickly when there are outbreaks.”

UNICEF’s support to the Government-led cholera response over the years has been made possible through the generous contributions of partners, including the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), and the Republic of Korea. In addition to this consignment of supplies procured by UNICEF, support from our partners has previously enabled the provision of WASH supplies, community engagement activities, and technical assistance to the Government.

As supplies are distributed in the coming days, local health teams will use them to establish and reinforce treatment sites, strengthen water quality monitoring, and sustain preventive measures in communities at highest risk. UNICEF will continue working closely with the Government to monitor impact, adapt interventions based on caseload trends, and support preparedness efforts to reduce the likelihood of future outbreaks.

For further information, please contact:
Mathews Musukwa

Senior Communications Officer

Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) – Office of the Vice-President

[email protected]