In response to the cholera outbreak in Angola that began on January 7, 2025, the Angola Red Cross has mobilized volunteers to provide safe water, hygiene education, and support in affected communities. The initiative includes the training of volunteers, distribution of water-treatment tablets, and the promotion of sanitation practices. Ensuring long-term solutions, such as improved water and sanitation services, is essential to combating cholera effectively.
On January 7, 2025, a cholera outbreak in Angola began, prompting rapid response efforts from Angola Red Cross volunteers. These volunteers have been crucial in providing assistance to prevent exposure to cholera, a disease often spread through contaminated water. They even transport water by balancing buckets on their heads to prepare necessary hydration solutions and distribute safe drinking water to communities.
The outbreak originated in Cacuaco, a suburb of Luanda, which is home to about 1.2 million residents, and now spans 14 provinces and 57 municipalities. Luanda has reported the highest number of cholera cases, tallying 3,788 to date. Efforts to combat the outbreak include administering the oral cholera vaccine, which is being used for the first time in Angola, though the need for comprehensive preventive measures remains critical.
The situation is dire, exacerbated by inadequate sanitation, limited access to clean water, and high population density. Cuanza Norte Province is experiencing severe fatalities due to the disease. In response, the Angola Red Cross has trained 478 volunteers across several provinces to assist the Ministry of Health with awareness campaigns about cholera symptoms and prevention techniques, using various communication strategies including public outreach.
Angola Red Cross volunteers are actively visiting households in high-risk areas to support handwashing initiatives and distribute treated water and cleaning supplies. They have successfully distributed over 20,000 water-treatment tablets to ensure community members have access to safe drinking water. Additionally, they track cholera transmission routes and provide oral rehydration therapy while referring severe cases to hospitals.
Volunteers also emphasize building trust within communities to support cholera vaccination efforts. They engage local leaders to share information on the cholera vaccine and hygiene practices, stressing the importance of combining vaccination with other preventive measures like water treatment and proper sanitation.
Addressing future cholera outbreaks is critical. Alexandra Machado from the IFRC notes that cholera should not pose a persistent health threat with existing knowledge and resources. The IFRC is committed to helping communities better prepare for and prevent cholera outbreaks through the Ending Cholera Plan, aiming for accessible water and sanitation services Year-round, not solely during crises.
To effectively combat cholera, Naemi Heita of the IFRC emphasizes tackling its root causes. This requires mobilizing governments, NGOs, and the private sector to invest in robust water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure, as well as health systems that can withstand environmental and humanitarian challenges.
Overall, the concerted efforts of the Angola Red Cross, in collaboration with the IFRC, aim to protect communities from cholera and ensure better public health outcomes in the long run.
The cholera outbreak in Angola has prompted a robust response from Angola Red Cross volunteers, highlighting the critical need for safe water, hygiene, and sanitation. Their efforts focus on community education, prevention measures, and immediate support to those affected. Sustained investment in water and sanitation infrastructure is crucial to prevent future outbreaks and address cholera’s underlying causes, ensuring better health outcomes moving forward.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
