Nearly 67 Million People in East Africa Require Humanitarian Assistance, UN Reports

 

The United Nations has announced alarming new estimates indicating that nearly 67 million individuals in East Africa are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric shared this information on Wednesday during a press briefing in New York, highlighting that this figure represents over 20% of the global total of those requiring aid.

The region is currently grappling with some of the world’s most significant humanitarian crises, exacerbated by a combination of climate change, ongoing conflicts, political instability, economic challenges, and disease outbreaks.

In particular, Dujarric noted the ongoing measles and Mpox outbreaks, with at least 776 confirmed Mpox cases reported in the region as of September 26. Additionally, the Marburg virus is spreading, with at least 29 confirmed cases in Rwanda, resulting in nine deaths. Most of these cases have affected health workers, and approximately 300 contacts are being monitored by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a severe zoonotic illness characterized by high fatality rates, typically transmitted to humans from fruit bats. The disease can also spread from person to person through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated materials. Currently, there is no vaccine or specific treatment available for MVD.

Dujarric emphasized that while the UN’s humanitarian partners are working to assist millions in East Africa, funding remains a significant obstacle. By the end of last month, only 38% of the required $9.3 billion for humanitarian response efforts had been secured, limiting the ability to expand relief efforts.