UN warns of cholera outbreak in Syria and demands $34.4 million

October 26, 2022

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UN warns of cholera outbreak in Syria and demands $34.4 million The United Nations has warned of a rapid outbreak of cholera across Syria, demanding $34.4 million for a 3-month response plan, after at least 80 people died of the disease. The United Nations warned Tuesday that cholera is spreading rapidly across Syria, demanding $34.4 million for a 3-month response plan. The United Nations says the money is needed to help more than 160,000 people with health services and 5 million people with water, sanitation and hygiene. "More than 24,000 suspected cases of cholera have been reported, and infections have also been confirmed in all 14 Syrian governorates," Rina Gilani, an official with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, told the Security Council. So far, she added, "at least 80 people have died" of cholera. She added that millions across the war-torn country are facing severe water shortages in Al-Hasakah, Al-Bab and Aleppo. The UN official indicated that the crisis is likely to "get worse," saying, "Expectations from now to next December indicate an increase in the possibility of precipitation amounts (snow, hail, rain) below the normal level and temperatures above normal. "If this materializes, it will further exacerbate an already acute water crisis," she added. The official urged continued cross-border access and increased cross-line access to provide humanitarian assistance to the Syrians who need it most. It is noteworthy that the Lebanese Ministry of Health announced, on Wednesday, the existence of "a wide spread of cholera (in the country), most of which are among the displaced Syrians." On October 6, the Ministry announced the registration of the first cholera case in the country since 1993, in the Akkar Governorate (north). Cholera is a waterborne disease that causes severe diarrhea that threatens the patient's life if not treated.

The United Nations has warned of a rapid outbreak of cholera across Syria, demanding $34.4 million for a 3-month response plan, after at least 80 people died of the disease.

The United Nations warned Tuesday that cholera is spreading rapidly across Syria, demanding $34.4 million for a 3-month response plan.

The United Nations says the money is needed to help more than 160,000 people with health services and 5 million people with water, sanitation and hygiene.

"More than 24,000 suspected cases of cholera have been reported, and infections have also been confirmed in all 14 Syrian governorates," Rina Gilani, an official with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, told the Security Council.

So far, she added, "at least 80 people have died" of cholera.

She added that millions across the war-torn country are facing severe water shortages in Al-Hasakah, Al-Bab and Aleppo.

The UN official indicated that the crisis is likely to "get worse," saying, "Expectations from now to next December indicate an increase in the possibility of precipitation amounts (snow, hail, rain) below the normal level and temperatures above normal.

"If this materializes, it will further exacerbate an already acute water crisis," she added.

The official urged continued cross-border access and increased cross-line access to provide humanitarian assistance to the Syrians who need it most.

It is noteworthy that the Lebanese Ministry of Health announced, on Wednesday, the existence of "a wide spread of cholera (in the country), most of which are among the displaced Syrians."

On October 6, the Ministry announced the registration of the first cholera case in the country since 1993, in the Akkar Governorate (north).

Cholera is a waterborne disease that causes severe diarrhea that threatens the patient's life if not treated.