The cholera crisis in eastern and southern Africa has reached alarming levels, with over 178,000 confirmed cases across 16 countries from January 2024 to March 2025, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The outbreak has claimed approximately 2,900 lives, many of whom are children. Limited access to water, sanitation, hygiene, and health services has significantly contributed to the rapid spread of the disease. UNICEF has called for continued commitment from governments, the private sector, and individuals to address these dire conditions and protect the future of children in the region.
South Sudan and Angola have been particularly hard-hit by cholera outbreaks, with South Sudan reporting more than 40,000 cases between September 2024 and March 2025, including 694 deaths, marking its worst cholera outbreak in two decades. Angola has also seen a significant increase in cases, with over 7,500 reported, along with 294 deaths across 14 provinces. The situation in both countries remains critical, with children under 15 years old accounting for a significant portion of the cases—50 percent in South Sudan and 40 percent in Angola.
The ongoing cholera outbreaks are exacerbated by a severe lack of safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene services in the region. UNICEF’s 2022 data revealed that nearly 120 million people in eastern and southern Africa, including 60 million children, lack access to clean water. Furthermore, over 174 million people in the region do not have hygiene facilities at home, and up to 71 million people practice open defecation. Climate shocks, such as floods and droughts, have further strained infrastructure, increasing the risk of cholera and other disease outbreaks. UNICEF has urged governments and stakeholders to prioritize investments in resilient water and sanitation systems to safeguard public health and prevent further suffering.