UNHCR Appeals for $21.4M to Combat Mpox Emergency Affecting Refugees in Africa

Africa hosts over a third of the world’s forcibly displaced people, many of whom are in countries severely affected by mpox and other crises.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has launched an urgent appeal for $21.4 million to enhance its response to the mpox emergency affecting refugees across Africa. The funds will support critical interventions for 9.9 million forcibly displaced individuals and host communities in 35 countries.

Mpox, previously endemic in parts of Africa, has seen a resurgence, particularly with the emergence of the new strain clade 1b. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported the highest number of cases globally, with 68 out of 88 mpox cases among refugees in the region. Other affected countries include the Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern on August 14, 2024, following over 20,000 suspected cases in Africa this year.

Allen Maina, UNHCR’s Public Health Chief, emphasized the heightened risk faced by refugees and displaced communities, who often live in overcrowded conditions with limited access to essential services such as clean water, soap, and nutritious food. These challenging circumstances exacerbate the risk of illness and complicate efforts to safeguard health.

Africa hosts over a third of the world’s forcibly displaced people, many of whom are in countries severely affected by mpox and other crises. The emergency threatens to further strain humanitarian resources, potentially disrupting vital services such as food distribution, education, and protection activities.

Maina stressed the need for increased international support to bolster preparedness and response efforts. "We need sustainable financing to strengthen health systems, water and sanitation facilities, and other essential services to ensure resilience now and in the future," he said.

UNHCR has been actively responding to the mpox outbreak since its emergence in 2022. Efforts include setting up handwashing stations in refugee camps, improving soap distribution, enhancing diagnostic testing, strengthening disease surveillance, and expanding training for community health workers. The agency is also working to provide accurate information and combat misinformation related to mpox.

The organization calls on the global community to contribute additional funds to address the urgent needs of refugees and integrate them into national preparedness and response plans. These resources are crucial for effective implementation of the Mpox Continental Preparedness and Response Plan for Africa, which is co-led by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and WHO.