In response to Angola’s cholera outbreak in January 2025, the Angola Red Cross is delivering treated water and hygiene education to impacted communities. Volunteers have been actively distributing water treatment tablets and engaging with locals to raise awareness about cholera prevention. Collaboration with the IFRC emphasizes holistic strategies to mitigate cholera’s resurgence by addressing underlying issues such as sanitation and health infrastructure.
On January 7, 2025, Angola confirmed its cholera outbreak, and since then, the Angola Red Cross has been actively involved in mitigating the crisis. Volunteers help prevent exposure to cholera, an often deadly waterborne disease, by providing safe drinking water and preparing oral rehydration solutions. Some tasks involve transporting water in containers balanced on heads to reach those in need.
The cholera outbreak originated in Cacuaco, a suburb of Luanda Province, which is home to approximately 1.2 million residents. To date, the disease has expanded into 14 provinces and affected 57 municipalities, with Luanda documenting the highest case count of 3,788. “The oral cholera vaccine is an important tool in the fight against cholera, and this is the first time it is being used in Angola. However, it should be combined with measures like water treatment and handwashing,” noted Catarina Laurinda, the coordinator for the Angola Red Cross response.
Rising cases are exacerbated by poor sanitation, inadequate access to clean water, and high population density. In the Cuanza Norte Province, the outbreak has resulted in alarming mortality rates. The Angola Red Cross has trained 478 volunteers across six provinces to bolster the Ministry of Health’s awareness campaigns. Volunteers have disseminated crucial information regarding cholera’s causes and prevention tactics through both community outreach and public events.
Catarina Laurinda states, “Our volunteers are visiting households in cholera hotspots and supporting the Ministry of Health in establishing handwashing facilities. They also provide treated water and cleaning solutions to households.” Notably, they have distributed over 20,000 household water-treatment tablets to regions affected by the disease.
Additionally, Red Cross volunteers monitor cholera transmission patterns and ensure access to safe water and sanitation services. Community-level treatment includes administering oral rehydration therapy and referring severe cases to healthcare facilities. Volunteer Joana Manuel Joao explained, “When the cholera outbreak started in Cacuacuo, our first task was distributing water treatment tablets to ensure people had access to safe drinking water for rehydration.
Community engagement is vital for supporting the cholera vaccination initiative. Volunteers work alongside traditional leaders to educate residents about vaccine effectiveness and hygiene practices. Catarina Laurinda emphasized the vaccine’s significance but reiterated the importance of complementary preventive measures.
However, Alexandra Machado, the IFRC’s public health coordinator, noted the larger goal remains to prevent future outbreaks: “With the knowledge we have accumulated, cholera should not remain a public health concern; we have witnessed annual outbreaks in the region.
The IFRC’s Ending Cholera Plan focuses on enhancing community preparedness to combat cholera and similar diseases proactively. Naemi Heita, heading the IFRC’s Country Cluster office, stressed the importance of addressing root causes by mobilizing government, NGO, and private sector support for water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure investments.
Learn more about the IFRC’s approach to water, sanitation, and hygiene at their dedicated webpage, which offers essential resources for practitioners in this field.
The Angola Red Cross, in collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), is tackling a cholera outbreak by providing safe water and hygiene education to affected communities. The initiative highlights the necessity for integrated approaches that combine vaccination, sanitation, and education to combat this preventable disease effectively. Fostering long-term solutions through enhanced infrastructure and community training is essential in preventing future outbreaks.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
