Syria / Lebanon : Cholera Outbreak Alarming : Statement by Bertrand Bainvel, DRD MENA

The fast pace of the cholera outbreak in Syria and Lebanon is alarming and the risks for further spreading to other countries in the region call for scale up of immediate action. It requires urgent support to respond and contain the spread of the disease.

“The acute epidemic in Syria has left over 20,000 suspected cases with acute watery diarrhoea and 75 cholera associated deaths since its start [1]. In Lebanon, confirmed cholera cases reached 448 in just two weeks, with 10 associated deaths [2].

“Some other neighboring countries are already affected with high level of acute watery diarrhoea cases and may be at risk of cholera introduction.

“Cholera outbreaks and acute watery diarrohea add to already existing children’s struggles in these countries. Malnourished children are more vulnerable to develop a severe cholera disease, and the cholera outbreak is yet another blow to already overstretched health systems in the region.

“Cholera doesn’t know borders and lines of control, and spreads along population movements, including displacements. In the hard-hit countries, the spread of the diseases is fueled by weak water and sanitation systems, poor water management, increased poverty, climate change, and conflicts – all of which make safe water more and more scarce for families and their children and reliance on unsafe water exposes them to the risk of contracting the water-borne disease.

“Since the start of the outbreak, UNICEF has been delivering lifesaving health and water, hygiene, and sanitation supplies and services to the affected areas, while helping families to improve their hygiene practices. Simultaneously, preparedness and response effort are stepped up in neighbouring countries.

“UNICEF urgently needs US$40.5 million[3] to expand its emergency cholera response in Syria and Lebanon alone. This includes support in the areas of health, water, hygiene and sanitation, risk communication and community engagement in the next three months.”