Since 2023, 13 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa have battled one of the worst cholera outbreaks to hit the region, most recently Zimbabwe, Zambia and Comoros. In some countries, 52% of all cases are children under 15 years, with children under 5 accounting for approximately 40% of deaths and 30% of cases.

In addition to large-scale national cholera vaccination campaigns led by governments, in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund- UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, supported by dedicated community-based volunteers and health workers - UNICEF is working with governments and local partners to ensure that children's learning is not interrupted, and they have continued access to clean water and sanitation facilities, health supplies and medical products.

UNICEF is also providing support to further strengthen the capacity of community-based volunteers, including young people and health workers, to reduce the risks of future outbreaks. For more on this, we're joined on the line by UNICEF's Regional Health Advisor, Dr Paul Ngwakum...