The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has appealed for $18.5 million to fund the response to the spread of mpox across the Horn, Eastern and Southern Africa.
The spread of mpox across the regions has increased the risk of infection for migrants who need “crucial” healthcare and other support ahead of an “anticipated surge” in cases,
IOM, in a statement on Wednesday stated that migrants and other marginalised and highly mobile populations including those uprooted from their homes by natural emergencies and conflicts were far more prone to infection.
The UN migration agency said that they were far prone to infection because of poor living conditions and the “significant barriers” many often encounter in seeking help.
“The spread of mpox across East, Horn and Southern Africa is a grave concern, especially for the vulnerable migrant, highly mobile populations and displaced communities often overlooked in such crises.
“We must act swiftly to protect those at the highest risk and to mitigate the impact of this outbreak on the region,” Amy Pope, IOM Director-General said.
Mpox has affected people in the African region for more than a decade, the UN agency said.
It added that the Horn, Eastern and Southern Africa regions host 12.2 million international migrants, nearly half of all migrants in Africa.
Highlighting data from the UN World Health Organisation (WHO), the IOM stated that by August 8, of the 12 African countries that reported an outbreak, six were from those regions.
As of July, new cases emerged in previously unaffected Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda, with cross-border infection cited as a factor in the spread of disease.
The IOM is appealing for 13 countries : Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The gesture is intended to support infection-prevention, control and response measures, particularly at border crossings.
It will help to fund awareness-raising activities among migrant and host communities, along with internally displaced persons.
