EU releases €2.3m to tackle cholera in West, Central Africa

The European Union has released €2.3 million in emergency humanitarian funding to Nigeria, Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Chad to support efforts to contain cholera outbreaks in the four countries.

In a statement on Monday, the European Commission said the funding would support outbreak response, case management, surveillance, vaccination, and water, sanitation and hygiene interventions in affected communities.

Nigeria will receive the largest share of €1.5 million to increase the number of intervention teams, provide essential cholera kits and strengthen water, sanitation and hygiene measures, including the treatment of public water points and household water.

The funding will also support intensified epidemiological surveillance in hard-to-reach areas, strengthen case management and improve risk communication and community sensitisation.

Cameroon will receive €100,000 to support outbreak containment and case management, including the deployment of additional humanitarian staff, provision of essential medicines, cholera treatment units and oral rehydration points in affected villages.

The Central African Republic will receive €500,000 to scale up case management and vaccination, strengthen surveillance and case detection, boost community engagement and support safe and dignified burials.

Chad will receive €200,000 to improve access to water, sanitation and hygiene, as well as support community surveillance and case management to help break the chain of cholera transmission.

According to the World Health Organisation, more than 61,000 cholera cases were reported in the African Region during the first five months of 2026.

EU Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, said cholera was preventable and treatable but continued to pose a threat to communities lacking access to safe water and healthcare.

“Europe is not looking away. This emergency funding will help our partners act quickly, contain the outbreaks and protect the communities most at risk,” she said.

Cholera is caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria and is primarily transmitted through the consumption of contaminated water or food. In severe cases, the infection can cause rapid loss of body fluids, resulting in severe dehydration and shock.