Regional

Humanitarians raise concern on Somalia cholera outbreak amid vaccine dose shortage

A health worker vaccinates a child against cholera in Mogadishu, Somalia. (Photo: Karel Prinsloo/Gavi-Arete)

By UN News | Thursday, March 28, 2024

Nearly 4,400 cases and 54 deaths had been recorded in nearly half of all districts in Somalia since the beginning of the year.

UN humanitarians said on Wednesday they are concerned about the spread of cholera in nearly half of the 72 Somalia districts amid a severe shortage in oral vaccine doses.

OCHA said 1.4 million doses that the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision allocated for Somalia are expected to arrive shortly.

Keep reading

As of a week ago, nearly 4,400 cases and 54 deaths had been recorded in nearly half of all districts in Somalia, since the beginning of the year, said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, briefing correspondents in New York.

Over 60 per cent of the deaths are reportedly among children under five.

Cholera is spreading in #Somalia with over 4,380 cases in less than 3 months.

The outbreak is driven by high levels of malnutrition among children and lack of access to clean water and sanitation.

Humanitarians are scaling up the response but inadequate funding is a challenge.
— UN Humanitarian (@UNOCHA) March 26, 2024

WHO said cases this year are three times higher than the previous three-year average and Somalia is already among the countries most severely impacted by cholera and acute watery diarrhoea.

The hardest-hit areas include Hirshabelle, Puntland and South West States.

According to OCHA, the outbreak is expected to escalate when the anticipated heavier-than-normal April to June rains start, especially in high-risk districts located along the Shabelle and Juba River basins.

Puntland State reported the highest cases numbering 351 with 23 deaths in the last four weeks, a spike attributed to limited access to safe water and open defecation especially in displacement sites, as well as resistance to common antibiotics.

In Hirshabelle State, most cases have been reported in Belet Weyne, Bulo Burte, Jalalaqsi, Mahaday and Balcad districts due to water contamination during flooding in November and December 2023.

Stepping up response

“We, along with our humanitarian partners, are working with Somalia’s health authorities to step up preparation and response efforts, in line with a six-month plan of action that will require nearly $6 million”, said Dujarric.

There are severe shortages in the number of available oral cholera vaccine doses, he said, while aid organizations are pre-positioning treatment kits and working on surveillance and case management.

“However, we urgently need additional funding. This year’s humanitarian appeal for Somalia is only 10 per cent funded. We have about $150 million received out of the nearly $1.6 billion that is needed," said Dujarric.