The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) have signed a $5.3 million agreement to strengthen cholera preparedness and response in Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Niger and Nigeria.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Mohamed Janabi announced the agreement in a statement posted on X on Monday. It was signed on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) in New York.
The initiative aims to protect more than six million people by improving surveillance, early outbreak detection, emergency response and coordination among health authorities across the five countries.
It will also expand access to life-saving treatment, particularly during outbreaks.
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“Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease that can cause severe dehydration and death if untreated, but timely treatment and effective public-health measures can significantly reduce fatalities,” he said.
Janabi said the partnership would help vulnerable communities detect outbreaks earlier, coordinate cross-border responses and strengthen public-health systems.
He thanked KSrelief for its continued support and said WHO would work with the organisation to advance regional health cooperation and sustainable outbreak preparedness.
The agreement comes as Lake Chad Basin countries intensify efforts to prevent, detect and respond to cholera and other public-health emergencies.
The programme will focus on surveillance, coordination among national and local authorities and access to appropriate treatment during outbreaks.
