Mpox: UNHCR launches appeal to support refugees in African countries

The Sponsorship will support vital response and prevention efforts for 9.9 million refugees and host communities in 35 countries across the continent.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease that can be transmitted through physical contact with infected people, animals, or objects.

Read our explanation This.

New virus strain

The disease has been circulating in some parts of Africa for decades, but the increasing number of cases of the new mpox virus strain, group 1b, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) toWHO) ARRIVE declare a public health emergency of international importance on August 14.

More than 20,000 suspected cases have been reported in Africa so far this year. At least 88 cases are among refugees, with 68 in the DRC. Cases have also been reported among refugees in the Republic of Congo and Rwanda.

Refugees are in danger

Allen Maina, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugeesdirector of public health of, speak The new mpox outbreak has put the most vulnerable populations at high risk, including many refugees and forcibly displaced communities, who often live in overcrowded shelters without access to clean water, soap and nutritious food.

“For refugees and displaced communities who already face enormous challenges accessing health care, these conditions put them at greater risk of disease and make it harder to protect themselves,” he said.

Africa is home to more than a third of the world’s forcibly displaced people. Many live in countries struggling with mpox and find themselves in extreme vulnerability, exacerbated by protracted conflict, chronic humanitarian underfunding and multiple disasters.

Sustainable finance is important

UNHCR warned that the mpox threatened to further strain already stretched humanitarian resources, potentially disrupting vital services and aid such as food distribution, education and protection operations.

“We need to support governments and partners in their mpox response to ensure no one is left behind,” said Mr Maina. “We need sustainable financing to strengthen health systems, water and sanitation facilities and other services, ensuring they are resilient now and in the future.”

Strengthen measures

UNHCR has been working with national and local authorities, UN agencies and other partners since the global mpox outbreak in 2022.

In response to the new severe outbreak, teams have reinforced handwashing stations in refugee camps and transit centers, while increasing soap distribution and access to diagnostic testing.

They have also strengthened disease surveillance, screening and reporting mechanisms, including across borders, expanded training for community health workers and enhanced communications to ensure people have accurate and accessible information about mpox, thus helping to combat misinformation and reduce stigma associated with the disease.

Responding to urgent needs

UNHCR calls on the international community to increase financial support to boost preparedness and response efforts, while reducing the risk of disease for those most at risk.

While the agency has reprioritized some resources to respond quickly to the outbreak, it said the scale and complexity of the situation requires additional funding to meet urgent needs.

In addition, funding is needed to ensure that refugees and others forcibly displaced are fully integrated into national preparedness and response plans, in line with Mpox Continental’s Response and Preparedness Plan for Africa co-led by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and WHO.