IOM expands Mpox appeal to reach migrants and IDPs across Africa

Geneva, October 30, 2024 – In response to the growing number of people affected by the smallpox outbreak spreading across parts of Africa, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is appealing for US$27.8 million to protect and support migrants, internally displaced people (IDPs) and mobile populations from this disease, as well as the communities with which they interact.

Since August 2024, the number of confirmed cases in Africa has increased sharply from more than 2,800 in 12 countries to more than 9,300 in 34 countries as of October 20, 2024. This appeal comes after an initial funding request of US$18.5 million for countries affected in Eastern, Horn and Southern Africa was released in August 2024.

IOM expanded the East Africa, Horn and Southern Africa plan to Multi-country mpox preparedness and response plan for Africacovering the period from September 2024 to February 2025. The plan aims to address the health needs of migrants and IDPs by providing health screenings, risk communication and community engagement in affected communities, supporting cross-border coordination between governments and local communities, and supporting the country to strengthen its response at key borders and entry points in high-risk areas all over Africa.

“By mobilizing support for this Plan, IOM will be able to support the response and preparedness efforts of our Member States and partners to contain the outbreak and strengthen preparedness,” said Dr. Poonam Dhawan, IOM Director of Migrant Health.

The virus, which is spread through close contact with infected people, disproportionately affects IDPs, migrants and highly mobile populations living in border communities due to a lack of disease prevention, detection and control measures available to them. The risk is further exacerbated by their overcrowding and poor living and working conditions.

IOM has been responding to OPOX since the recent outbreak and spread of the disease in Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Over more than four months, more than 1,047,900 medical examinations were carried out in the DRC, Guinea and Uganda. Some 2,300 border guards and local health workers were trained in Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Libya, Mozambique, South Sudan, Uganda and Zimbabwe on early detection and case management. Since June 2024, IOM has sent information messages about mpox to more than 27,500 people in the DRC, Mozambique and Uganda.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the continent’s worst-affected country, IOM is strengthening the fight against oppox in high-risk areas by supporting risk communication and community engagement in IDP camps, and has trained more than 80 local health workers and community leaders to conduct outreach in the camps.

IOM’s response plan addresses pressing health challenges exacerbated by the continent’s high mobility. However, despite IOM’s work, the funding gap remains significantly low: out of US$18.5 million, only US$1 million has been received. Without additional support, critical activities at ports of entry are likely to face disruption. IOM calls on international donors, governments and partners to support the response to mpox to protect the health and well-being of communities affected by migration.

Note to editor

The IOM response plan was developed in collaboration with the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Latest situation report available Here.

For more information contact:

Dorothy Nyagi [email protected]