SADC Strengthens Strategy to Combat Cholera Outbreak in Southern Africa

Highlights

• The SADC Summit emphasised the urgency of implementing a multisectoral response plan to address the cholera outbreak, recognising the importance of collaboration across various sectors.

• Climate change exacerbates the cholera crisis in the SADC region,underscoring the need for proactivemeasures to strengthen water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure and disaster risk reduction strategies.

The SADC Secretariat, under the leadership of Angolan President Joao Lourenco, helda summit to discuss the cholera outbreak in the region. President Lourenco highlighted the progress made and challenges faced in combating the outbreak.

The SADC Council of Ministers held a digital meeting on January 29th, 2024, focusing on prevention and management strategies. During the session, they reviewed a report from the SADC Ministers of Health meeting held on January 27th, 2024, which outlines the cholera situation and the region’s readiness and response to outbreaks. Five SADC nations, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania, have reported cholera outbreaks since the previous year, collectively accounting for 73% of all cases in Africa.

At a virtual Summit of Heads of State and Government, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa suggested that SADC member nations like Tanzania should adopt integrated measures and a multisectoral strategy, including water sector and urban planning, to develop a long-term solution to cholera and other epidemic illnesses.

Mr. Majaliwa, emphasised the responsibility of society and citizens to take precautions and understand global water, sanitation, and hygiene issues for personal benefit. He also recommended enhancing infrastructure and accessibility to sanitary facilities as well as clean water in communities to effectively contain the outbreak and ensure a safe environment for all.

The meeting was attended by Health Minister Ummy Mwalimu, Water Minister Jumaa Aweso, and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mbarouk Nassor Mbarouk. Additionally, presidents such as Mr Phillipe Nyusi (Mozambique), Mr Lazarus Chakwera (Malawi), Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa (Zimbabwe), Haikande Hichelema (Zambia), and Felix Tshisekedi (DRC) attended the summit, along with representatives from south Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, the Seychelles, and Madagascar.

From January 2023 to January 2024, 19 African Union Member States reported 252,934 cases and 4,187 deaths, with over 72.5% of cases originating from the SADC region.