UNICEF and partners launch emergency funding appeal for polio outbreak in Congo

UNICEF, Rotary International and the World Health Organization (WHO) have launched an emergency appeal for $23.5 million in funding in response to the explosive polio outbreak in the Republic of Congo. Stopping the outbreak is a top international public health priority due to its high fatality rate and the high risk of further national and international spread.
As of 16 November, 324 cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) and 146 deaths have been reported from the site of the outbreak centred in Pointe Noire. Five cases have been confirmed to have been caused by wild poliovirus type 1 and laboratory testing continues. Initial data indicates the majority of the reported cases and deaths involve young adults aged 15-29 years. Nearly all cases have been reported from the port city of Pointe Noire, with cases also reported from Niari, Bouenza, Brazzaville, and Kouilou. New cases continue to be reported.
Genetic sequencing has determined that the polio cases are caused by a poliovirus most closely related to that circulating in neighbouring Angola. Congo had recorded its last case of indigenous polio in 2000.
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Unique education in emergencies fund reaches out to the most vulnerable

Representatives of the Government of the Netherlands, the European Commission and UNICEF met in New York this week to review progress achieved under an innovative programme to improve Education in Emergencies and Post-Crisis Transition.

Since 2007, the collaboration has worked to ensure that education is a key part of the humanitarian response in emergencies and to restore education systems in post-conflict situations. As part of this initiative, UNICEF – together with partners and donors – has joined to push education to the forefront of the development agenda.

“Through the support of the Government of the Netherlands and other critical partners, UNICEF and the education cluster were able not only to respond to the cholera outbreak through schools but were also able to begin the revitalization of the entire sector,” said UNICEF Representative in Zimbabwe Dr. Peter Salama.

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