Following the cholera outbreak in Angola, the Angola Red Cross has mobilized volunteers to provide safe water and hygiene education. The outbreak, starting in Cacuaco, is exacerbated by poor sanitation and limited clean water access. Volunteers are distributing water-treatment tablets while conducting awareness campaigns in various communities. The initiative emphasizes the importance of vaccination combined with robust water and sanitation infrastructure to prevent future outbreaks.
In response to the cholera outbreak in Angola, confirmed on January 7, 2025, the Angola Red Cross, along with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), has been actively providing safe, treated water and hygiene education to affected communities. Volunteers are tirelessly delivering water in buckets to prepare oral hydration solutions or distribute safe drinking water to those in need. This initiative began in Cacuaco, a densely populated suburban area of Luanda, where the disease has rapidly spread to numerous provinces.
As the cholera outbreak escalates, exacerbated by inadequate sanitation, limited clean water access, and high population density, the Angola Red Cross has trained 478 volunteers across six provinces to support the Ministry of Health. These volunteers are raising awareness about cholera, disseminating vital information regarding its causes, symptoms, and prevention methods through door-to-door initiatives and public venues. Their efforts also include setting up handwashing facilities and distributing safe water and cleaning solutions.
Catarina Laurinda, the coordinator of the Angola Red Cross response, noted that the oral cholera vaccine is a crucial component of their strategy, although preventative measures such as water treatment and hygiene practices remain imperative. With over 20,000 water-treatment tablets distributed, volunteers strive to ensure that communities have access to safe drinking water, cycle information about cholera symptoms, and maintain hygiene practices to mitigate risks.
Engaging with local leaders, volunteers build community trust and advocate for vaccination and hygiene initiatives. Alexandra Machado from the IFRC emphasized that cholera should not be a persistent public health concern, highlighting the necessity of community preparedness for future outbreaks. Naemi Heita, head of IFRC’s Country Cluster office, reiterated the need for significant investment in water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure to address the root causes of cholera and other health crises effectively.
This collaborative effort underscores the importance of continuous investment in public health infrastructure and services beyond emergency response measures. It aims to establish sustainable systems that can withstand current and future public health challenges while promoting community resilience and health security.
The concerted efforts of the Angola Red Cross and IFRC in addressing the cholera outbreak reflect a strategic focus on both immediate relief and long-term prevention strategies. By combining vaccination initiatives with water treatment, hygiene promotion, and community education, they aim to combat this public health threat effectively. It is crucial to mobilize resources and investment in health infrastructure to ensure sustainable solutions to cholera and related health crises in Angola.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
