NAIROBI, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Wednesday expressed concern about several public health emergencies, including outbreaks of cholera, mpox, and viral hemorrhagic fevers, which it said pose a major threat to the safety and well-being of millions of children in eastern and southern Africa.
UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa Etleva Kadilli said the alarming frequency of public health emergencies and disease outbreaks in the region is disrupting vital safety nets for children and depriving them of their right to a safe and nurturing environment.
"Global and regional stakeholders must come together to fortify protection systems offered by families, communities, and state services to ensure every child can thrive, even in the face of multiple challenges," Kadilli said in a statement issued in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.
According to UNICEF, a high number of health crises, often worsened by climate shocks, are impacting already vulnerable communities and compounding risks to children in the region.
UNICEF said some 17 countries in eastern and southern Africa are grappling with multiple public health emergencies this year, the majority of which are outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as polio, measles, and diphtheria.
"Years of stagnating and declining immunization rates across many countries in the region have resulted in a resurgence of these preventable diseases," it said.
Kadilli added that in addition to investing in essential infrastructure and services, promoting routine immunization, and addressing the social determinants of health, sustained funding for protection efforts must continue to be prioritized to support the overall well-being of children in the region. ■
