Malawi
Cholera, 09 Sep 2022
| Allocation | $1,000,000 |
|---|---|
| Emergency type | Cholera |
| Window | Rapid Response |
| Recipient UN Agencies | UNICEF, WHO |
| Group(s) of people targeted | Host communities, Other affected persons |
| People reached | 183,704 |
| Status | Report Available |
| Due dates | | |
| Allocation code | 22-RR-MWI-55260 |
| Title | Malawi RR Application Sep 2022 (Cholera) |
Overview of the humanitarian situation
Tropical Storms Ana and Gombe caused the deadliest cholera outbreak in Malawi’s recorded history and its largest in the last two decades. As of 28 March 2023, a cumulative total of 56,090 cases had been reported since the onset of the outbreak. The cumulative number of deaths at this time was 1,712, with a case fatality ratio of 3.1%. Initially localized to the southern region, the outbreak spread to all 29 districts of Malawi, encompassing areas that had remained cholera-free for over a decade.
CERF-funded assistance
Given the lack of funding for the response, on 20 September 2022 the RC/HC requested $1 million from CERF in order to kickstart life-saving activities and potentially attract further donor attention. The ensuing response provided critical assistance in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and Health sectors. UNICEF and WHO provided WASH supplies, emergency water and sanitation services, disseminated WASH/hygiene messaging, supported cholera treatment centers, provided cholera prevention and treatment supplies, trained implementing staff, as well as strengthened surveillance and contact tracing. The allocation provided humanitarian assistance to 183,704 people, including 50,697 women, 85,075 children, and 18,800 persons with disabilities.
CERFs Strategic Added Value
CERF helped respond to time-critical needs and led to a fast delivery of assistance to beneficiaries, preventing an exponential increase in cholera cases despite the impact of multiple cyclones. For example, CERF funding facilitated the rapid procurement of essential emergency supplies, enabling active surveillance, and effective management of cholera cases. CERF also helped improve coordination amongst the humanitarian community. For example, the CERF allocation fostered collaboration between UNICEF, WHO and the Malawian Government’s Cholera Task Force. Finally, CERF improved resources mobilization from other sources. For example, UNICEF leveraged additional funding from DG ECHO, Latter Day Saints Charities, Centers of Disease Control and FCDO to support similar responses.
Projects included in this allocation
| Organization | Project title | Code | Amount in US$ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WHO | Support to Strengthen Surveillance and Case Management Response to Cholera Outbreak in Malawi | 22-RR-WHO-036 | US$256,000 | Read more |
| UNICEF | Integrated Cholera response for Malawi | 22-RR-CEF-063 | US$744,000 | Read more |