The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) issued a warning on Tuesday regarding the potential devastating impact of the mpox outbreak on refugees and displaced families in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other affected African countries if immediate support is not provided.
UNHCR reported that 42 suspected mpox cases have been identified in the South Kivu Province of the DRC, the epicenter of the outbreak in the war-torn central African nation.
There have also been suspected and confirmed cases among refugee populations in the Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.
Increase in Cases
As of 14 August, the World Health Organization (WHO) chief declared the surge in mpox cases as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), with the majority of cases recorded in the DRC.
Recent WHO data shows over 18,000 suspected mpox cases and 615 confirmed deaths in the DRC, along with 220 cases of the new mpox strain Clade 1b in neighboring nations.
UNHCR highlighted suspected cases in conflict-affected provinces hosting 7.3 million internally displaced persons in the DRC.
“In these regions, the virus poses a threat to an already dire situation for a population plagued by decades of conflict, displacement, human rights violations, and lack of international aid,” UNHCR stated.
Challenges in Prevention
Displaced communities facing violence encounter difficulties in implementing mpox prevention measures due to overcrowded shelters and limited access to essential services and aid.
“Families living in congested shelters have no space to isolate when showing symptoms, while those in unstable areas struggle to access testing facilities,” UNHCR added.
Response Efforts
WHO, UNHCR, and partners alongside national health authorities have bolstered preparedness and response measures in refugee camps, such as installing more handwashing stations and increasing awareness campaigns in local languages.
However, a shortage of community health workers has strained the response efforts, according to UNHCR.
The agency stresses the importance of involving refugees and displaced individuals in national response efforts, including monitoring and medical care.
“International solidarity is crucial to enhance health services, isolation centers, shelter, and access to basic hygiene for displaced individuals,” UNHCR emphasized. “Peace in conflict zones is essential for a sustainable response to contain the disease.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.