Due to spread of Mpox across the regions of Horn, Eastern, and Southern Africa, the International Organization for Mitigation (IOM) has launched an $18.5 million appeal to fund to mitigate the risk of infection for migrants who need “crucial” healthcare and other support ahead of an “anticipated surge” in cases.
In a statement by Amy Pope, the IOM Director-General stated that those uprooted from their homes by natural emergencies and conflicts were far more prone to infection, because of poor living conditions and the “significant barriers” many often encounter in seeking help.
It added that the Horn, Eastern, and Southern Africa regions host 12.2 million international migrants, nearly half of all African migrants.
“Vulnerable populations such as migrants and IDPs impacted by pox, or at risk of being affected, must receive the necessary healthcare and protection.
”This is particularly in regions where access to such services is limited and have a high number of migrants and displaced populations.
“This preparedness and response plan aims to prepare for and respond to the anticipated surge in Mpox cases and mitigate the spread and the likely negative impacts of the virus spreading throughout the region.
“The spread of Mpox across East, Horn, and Southern Africa is a grave concern, especially for the vulnerable migrant, highly mobile populations and displaced communities often overlooked in such crises.
“We must act swiftly to protect those at the highest risk and to mitigate the impact of this outbreak on the region,” the DG said.
The IOM is appealing to 13 countries: Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The gesture is intended to support infection prevention, control, and response measures, particularly at border crossings.
It will help to fund awareness-raising activities among migrant and host communities, along with internally displaced persons.
IOM added that the region’s role as an “origin, destination, and transit hub” for migrants could hinder disease prevention.
It added that plans were in place to continue building the capacity of national healthcare workers and front-line responders.
It also enables the identification of high-risk areas to ensure effective monitoring of the disease and reduce its spread from country to country.
The UN agency said Mpox has affected people in the African region for more than a decade, and explained that data from the UN World Health Organization (WHO), showed that by August 8, of the 12 African countries that reported an outbreak, six were from those regions.
The global total of mpox cases is more than 100,000 and the latest W.H.O data indicates more than 15,000 suspected cases in the DRC including 537 deaths so far.
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