The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has issued a warning about the potentially devastating impact of a growing mpox outbreak on refugees and displaced people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other African nations. The outbreak, if left unchecked, could further imperil vulnerable communities already suffering from conflict and displacement.
According to UNHCR, 42 suspected mpox cases have been identified in the South Kivu Province of the DRC, which is currently the epicenter of the outbreak. The situation is particularly dire in the DRC, a country already grappling with the effects of prolonged conflict. Additional cases have been reported among refugee populations in the Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.
Growing Caseload and Regional Spread
On August 14, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the rise in mpox cases a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The majority of cases are concentrated in the DRC, with recent WHO reports indicating over 18,000 suspected cases and 615 confirmed deaths. Neighboring countries have also reported over 220 cases of the new mpox strain, Clade 1b.
The outbreak has spread to conflict-affected regions hosting DRC’s 7.3 million internally displaced people. UNHCR’s Public Health Chief Dr. Allen Maina“In these areas, the virus threatens to exacerbate an already impossible situation for a population devastated by decades of conflict, forced displacement, appalling human rights abuses, and a lack of international assistance,” he said.
Challenges in Overcrowded Shelters
The refugee agency highlighted the challenges faced by displaced communities in implementing mpox prevention measures. Overcrowded shelters, limited access to essential services, and a lack of humanitarian assistance make it nearly impossible for these communities to isolate infected individuals. “Displaced families living in crowded schools, churches, and tents have no space to isolate when they develop symptoms of the disease,” he added.
Access to testing facilities is another major hurdle, especially in the unstable eastern regions of the DRC, where violence continues to disrupt daily life.
Coordinated Response Efforts
In response, the WHO, UNHCR, and their partners, in coordination with national health authorities, have stepped up efforts to strengthen health system preparedness in refugee camps. Measures include enhancing handwashing stations in public spaces and transit centers. Additionally, initiatives are underway to increase awareness and provide accurate information in the languages spoken by displaced groups.
However, the scale of the outbreak has created a shortage of community health workers capable of meeting the rising demand. UNHCR emphasizes the need to fully include refugees and displaced people in all aspects of national preparedness and response efforts, from monitoring to medical care.
“International solidarity is urgently needed to expand health services, isolation centers, humanitarian shelters, and access to water and soap for those forced to flee,” the Dr. Allen Maina urged. “In conflict zones, peace is also desperately needed to ensure a sustainable response to stop the spread of the disease.”
The situation remains critical as the international community is called upon to provide the necessary support to prevent further suffering among some of the world’s most vulnerable populations.
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The UNHCR’s warning about the devastating potential impact of the mpox outbreak on refugees and displaced people in the DRC is a timely and urgent call to action.
The outbreak poses a significant threat to already vulnerable communities, exacerbating the challenges they face due to conflict, displacement, and limited access to healthcare.
The report highlights the critical need for coordinated international efforts to address the outbreak, including strengthening health systems, providing essential supplies and services, and ensuring the inclusion of refugees and displaced people in all response efforts.
It is imperative that the international community respond swiftly and decisively to prevent further suffering and loss of life among these vulnerable populations.