In response to a significant rise in mpox cases spreading across Africa, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is urgently appealing for $27.8 million to assist migrants, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and mobile communities, along with the local populations they engage with.
Since August 2024, the number of confirmed mpox cases has surged from over 2,800 across 12 countries to more than 9,300 across 34 countries as of October 20, 2024. This latest appeal follows IOM’s initial request for $18.5 million in August aimed at supporting affected regions in East, Horn, and Southern Africa.
To address this growing crisis, IOM has expanded its regional approach into a Multi-Country Mpox Preparedness and Response Plan for Africa, covering the period from September 2024 to February 2025. The plan includes health screenings, risk communication, and community outreach to affected populations, alongside cross-border coordination between governments and local groups, with a focus on enhancing response capabilities at major border points in high-risk areas.
“Our goal is to support readiness and response efforts to contain this outbreak alongside our Member States and partners,” said Dr. Poonam Dhavan, IOM Director of Migration Health.
Mpox, primarily spread through close contact, has proven especially challenging for IDPs, migrants, and mobile communities in crowded, underserved areas, where access to adequate health care remains limited.
IOM has been actively responding to the crisis in countries such as Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Over the past four months, the organization has conducted more than 1 million health screenings across the DRC, Guinea, and Uganda. Nearly 2,300 border officials and health workers have also been trained in early detection and case management across multiple African nations. Awareness campaigns have reached over 27,500 individuals in high-risk areas in the DRC, Mozambique, and Uganda since June 2024.
In the DRC, which remains the hardest-hit country, IOM is intensifying efforts by engaging IDP camps in risk communication and training over 80 health workers and community leaders to raise awareness about the virus in these camps.
However, despite IOM’s continued efforts, funding remains alarmingly low, with only $1 million raised from the initial $18.5 million request. Without further support, crucial response operations at key entry points may face interruptions. IOM is urging international donors, governments, and partners to step forward and contribute to the mpox response to protect the health of communities impacted by migration across Africa.
