The World Health Organisation (WHO) is assisting Angola in its fight against a cholera outbreak by expanding access to safe water in the country’s hardest-hit regions.
As of 9 April, the outbreak has resulted in approximately 11,500 reported cases and nearly 440 deaths since it began in January.
Authorities are focusing efforts on cholera hotspots, particularly in the provinces of Luanda and Icolo e Bengo, which together account for most cases and fatalities.
Angola’s water and sanitation crisis exacerbates the spread of cholera, with government data showing that 44 percent of the population lacks access to safe drinking water and only 55 percent has adequate sanitation.
In rural areas, these figures are even lower, leaving communities particularly vulnerable to waterborne diseases.
In response, health authorities, in collaboration with the WHO and UNICEF, have embarked on an initiative to map and treat the country’s water access points.
Nearly 320 water sources have been surveyed to identify contamination sites and improve water treatment.
This effort is supported by the training of 28 public health officials in georeferencing tools and mapping techniques, enabling them to document water sources and track cholera cases effectively.
Marinela Moniz, a technical officer in Luanda’s Department of Environment and Basic Sanitation, applauded the initiative.
“We were able to identify contamination points and ensure families have access to drinking water through coordinated efforts with relevant authorities.”
WHO Representative in Angola, Indrajit Hazarika, stressed the importance of a multisectoral approach to ending cholera.
“Thanks to multisectoral leadership and the support of partners, we are positive that it will be possible to control contamination and end cholera soon in Angola,” Hazarika said on Tuesday.
He, however, noted the importance of further accelerating access to quality water, improving sanitation and strengthening prevention and treatment measures across Angola to “ensure lasting protection to prevent us from losing lives to diseases such as cholera.”
JN/APA