UNICEF requests $16.5M for the Africa Mpox response

UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, made a $16.5 million appeal yesterday in order to increase the mpox response in East and Southern Africa.
The new mpox strain poses a major threat to vulnerable children and families, according to a statement from UNICEF’s Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Etleva Kadilli.
There are 200 confirmed cases of mpox in Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa, and more instances could spread among children and vulnerable populations in the region, according to the statement.
“Aside from immediate lifesaving response, risk communication efforts and cross-border collaboration, investments in overall health system strengthening, continuity of essential services and targeted focus on programs that support overall child wellbeing must be prioritized,” Kadilli stated.
The UN children’s agency issued a warning, noting that while communities deal with other ongoing crises, worries are growing over new public health emergencies.It stated that all afflicted nations, with the exception of South Africa, have found the novel mpox virus form (clade Ib), which is concerning since it may spread more widely among all age categories, especially young children.
According to UNICEF, Burundi has so far confirmed more than 170 cases of mpox in 26 of the 49 districts in the nation.
According to the report, children and adolescents under the age of 20 account for almost 60% of instances that are found, with children under the age of five making up 21% of cases.
In addition to the immediate threats posed by the virus, Kenya, Burundi, and Uganda have been dealing with a number of calamities, such as droughts and floods, according to UNICEF.
The UN agency also issued a warning, stating that worries about the knock-on effects of mpox outbreaks on kids and teenagers—such as prejudice, stigma, and disruptions to education—remain.
“Drawing from experiences gained during responses to HIV, COVID-19 and Ebola outbreaks, there must be a collective effort to prioritize plans for supporting survivors, combating stigma and facilitating continuity of basic social services, especially learning and children’s reintegration into school and community,” UNICEF stated.