The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a surge in cholera cases globally, with Afghanistan leading the world in confirmed cases in 2023, reaching nearly 204,000.
In a report released on Thursday, November 7, WHO stated that the number of cases of cholera reported worldwide this year has surpassed that of 2022, with over 610,000 cases already recorded. This increase in cases corresponds to a fatality rate of 0.6%, with approximately 3,500 deaths reported.
The report says that out of 29 countries with confirmed cases of cholera, Afghanistan has the most cases with nearly 204,000. This is followed by Syria with over 161,000 cases and Haiti with over 71,000 cases. Since January 2023, 93 people in Afghanistan have died from cholera.
Cholera is an extremely virulent disease that can cause severe acute watery diarrhoea. According to WHO, it takes between 12 hours and 5 days for someone to get sick after they eat or drink something contaminated. Cholera can make both children and adults sick and can kill them within hours if they don’t get treatment. Many drivers are contributing to the resurgence of cholera, including climate change, conflict and political instability, weak health systems, increased population movement, poor water and sanitation infrastructure, and low awareness among the public.
The long-term solution for cholera control lies in economic development and universal access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation. Actions targeting environmental conditions include the implementation of adapted long-term sustainable wash solutions to ensure the use of safe water, basic sanitation, and good hygiene practices in cholera hotspots.
After decades of political instability, exacerbated by severe drought and natural disasters, Afghanistan is currently facing a prolonged humanitarian crisis, with millions of people living with poor or no access to health, food, and clean water, putting them at severe risk of malnutrition and disease outbreaks. The vulnerability of women and girls has further intensified, as they face increased obstacles in accessing healthcare due to the ban on education and workforce participation.
A report by UNICEF shows that many people in Afghanistan don’t have access to safe water. About 8 out of 10 people face this problem, and 93% of children (15.6 million) live where water is scarce. Also, many people practice open defecation, and half of the population can’t use basic sanitation facilities. Additionally, over 6 out of 10 Afghans don’t have access to basic hygiene facilities, and most schools and healthcare facilities don’t have basic handwashing or drinking water facilities.
On the other hand, a critical lack of funding and healthcare workers has pushed the country’s healthcare system to the brink of collapse. UN agencies warn that this funding shortfall puts millions of lives at risk, exacerbating the existing hardships of hunger, malnutrition, infectious diseases, and a severe drought. “Afghanistan’s healthcare system is facing a significant funding deficiency, and if left unsupported, will have a devastating impact on the health of Afghans, especially women and children,” WHO reported earlier.
Additionally, WHO alerted that 520 health facilities and hospitals will remain with little or no support, further curtailing access of millions of people from mental health support and children unable to receive necessary vaccinations countrywide.
The Taliban’s restrictive policies and practices have also complicated efforts to address the ongoing humanitarian and healthcare crisis in Afghanistan. The regime’s ban on women working for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has resulted in the suspension of numerous health and nutrition teams. This has not only disrupted the delivery of essential services but also significantly reduced the vital contributions of women in the healthcare sector.
