The UN children’s agency UNICEF warned on Wednesday that several public health emergencies were posing significant threats to the safety and wellbeing of millions of children in eastern and southern Africa.
“The alarming frequency of public health emergencies and disease outbreaks in the region is disrupting vital safety nets for children and stripping away their right to a safe and nurturing environment,” UNICEF regional director for eastern and southern Africa Etleva Kadilli said in a press release.
“In any emergency, children and the most vulnerable suffer the most,” Kadilli said.
“Aside from investments in essential infrastructure and services, promoting routine immunization and addressing the social determinants of health, sustained funding for protection efforts must continue to be prioritised to support the overall wellbeing of children in the region.”
According to UNICEF, 17 out of 21 countries in eastern and southern Africa are experiencing one or more outbreaks of cholera, mpox and viral haemorrhagic fevers.
