The United Nations (UN) and its partners in Malawi have made a U.S.$45.3 million appeal to provide support to four million people in the country who are most vulnerable to cholera.

The United Nations and humanitarian partners in Malawi today launched a Flash Appeal to assist 4 million people, including 56,000 refugees and asylumseekers, who have been hardest-hit by, and are at highest-risk of, cholera, in support of the Government-led response.

Development Diaries reports that over 36,943 cases and 1,210 associated deaths have been reported from all 29 districts since 03 March, 2022.

The UN call for support comes as the numbers of cholera cases and deaths in Malawi have increased exponentially since the beginning of January 2023, worsening what is already the deadliest cholera outbreak in the country’s history.

The Malawi Cholera Flash Appeal, which was launched to coincide with the government of Malawi’s cholera campaign, aims to address the most immediate needs of people impacted by the outbreak through an integrated response that brings together health and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).

‘Despite all the efforts taken since the first cholera case was reported in Malawi nearly one year ago, the situation remains of grave concern. Every day, the number of cases increases, and more people die’, the UN Resident Coordinator in Malawi, Rebecca Adda-Dontoh, said at the launch of the Flash Appeal.

‘However, the good news is that, while cholera is highly transmissible, it is also easily treatable when cases are caught early and preventable when communities have access to clean water and good sanitation’.

The Flash Appeal is aimed at swiftly providing support for the government-led response to contain the outbreak and prevent further, avoidable, loss of life.

Photo source: UNICEF