Following the confirmation of ten cases of cholera in the Koumassi district of Abidjan, UNICEF has provided medical supplies to local health authorities to treat up to 1,000 patients infected with the disease. It has also provided kits with soap, chlorine, and water treatment products for 400,000 persons.

In order to reduce the risk of widespread cholera epidemic UNICEF, together with governmental and international partners, has been active for several weeks in ensuring an estimated 250,000 people have access to clean water where the normal distribution network is disrupted.

“In the midst of the rainy season, the resurgence of cholera requires concerted action to urgently restore access to portable water across the country to avoid cholera epidemics,” said Hervé Ludovic de Lys, UNICEF Representative in Côte d’Ivoire.

In Daloa where normal water distribution has been interrupted for more than a week, 15 water bladders are being installed to give enough water to 100,000 persons daily. In Bouaflé, four bladders have also been installed to provide water to 6,000 people. These installations provide temporary relief while the water distribution company (SODECI) repairs the water supply network in these two cities.

The West of the country is affected by a humanitarian crisis and communities are hosting large numbers of internally displaced people (IDP) and water sources are under pressure. In addition to providing water, UNICEF is promoting good hygiene practices. The charity is distributing supplies to treat cholera and water purification tablets for 240,000 people and has launched a public hygiene awareness campaign on community radios across the country.

Cholera is a disease transmitted by tainted water and unclean hands causing acute diarrhea and can be lethal if not treated within the first few hours.

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