This article discusses the Angola Red Cross and IFRC’s response to the cholera outbreak in Angola, highlighting the distribution of safe water, community engagement, and prevention measures through trained volunteers. The importance of combining vaccination and sanitation practices is emphasized, alongside calls for infrastructural investments to prevent future outbreaks.
World Water Day 2025 highlights the efforts of the Angola Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in combating the cholera outbreak, which was confirmed on January 7, 2025. Red Cross volunteers have actively engaged in community outreach, ensuring safe drinking water and essential hygiene messages are delivered to those most affected by the outbreak.
The cholera outbreak, which originated in Cacuaco, a suburb of Luanda, has alarmingly spread to 14 provinces and affected 57 municipalities. Luanda has recorded the highest number of cases, amounting to 3,788, exacerbated by inadequate sanitation and the dense population.
Catarina Laurinda, the coordinator for Angola Red Cross, emphasized the significance of the oral cholera vaccine as part of the response strategy. She stated, “The oral cholera vaccine is an important tool in the fight against cholera… but we always need to combine this with other preventative measures such as water treatment, handwashing with soap and sanitation.”
To combat the outbreak, the Angola Red Cross has trained 478 volunteers in six provinces, who have been instrumental in educating the public about cholera prevention. Their outreach efforts included disseminating information on symptoms, causes, and hygiene practices through various channels, including door-to-door visits and public events.
Volunteers have also distributed over 20,000 household water-treatment tablets to communities, showcasing how to prepare oral rehydration solutions. Joana Manuel Joao, a volunteer, remarked, “When the cholera outbreak started… our first work was distributing water treatment tablets… so sick people could prepare the oral rehydration salts.”
A key component of the cholera vaccination campaign involves building trust within communities. Volunteers engage with community leaders to distribute information on the cholera vaccine and proper hygiene practices, as reiterated by Catarina Laurinda.
The underlying issue remains preventing future outbreaks. Alexandra Machado, the IFRC’s public health coordinator in Angola, stated, “With the tools we have today and the knowledge we have had for over a century, cholera should not be a public health concern.” The IFRC aims to support communities with preparedness initiatives to prevent cholera and other epidemics effectively.
Naemi Heita from IFRC stressed the need for investment in water and sanitation infrastructures to address cholera’s root causes, advocating for a collective approach among governments, NGOs, and the private sector. She noted, “If we really want to put an end to cholera, we need to acknowledge its roots causes.”
For more detailed information on the IFRC’s approach to water, sanitation, and hygiene, please visit their dedicated resources and webpages.
The Angola Red Cross and IFRC are instrumental in addressing the cholera outbreak through community engagement, education, and distributing vital resources. Although the oral cholera vaccine has been introduced, a comprehensive strategy combining vaccination with sanitation and hygiene practices is essential. Investment in infrastructure and preventive measures is critical to ensure cholera does not pose a public health threat in the future.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
