The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) today appealed for 16.5 million US dollars to scale up Mpox response in east and southern Africa. Etleva Kadilli, the Regional Director for UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa, said children and vulnerable communities are on the verge of an expanding outbreak of Mpox. 200 confirmed cases have been detected across Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa.

He added, Aside from immediate lifesaving response, risk communication efforts, and cross-border collaboration, investments in overall health system strengthening should be prioritised.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared Mpox a public health emergency of international concern on the 14th of August in view of its prevalence and spread across many parts of Africa.