UNITED NATIONS, July 16 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) announced that the UN has allocated US$1 million to prevent the spread of cholera in the Central African Republic.
In the statement made by the agency on Wednesday, it was stated that UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher allocated these funds for interventions in the fields of health, community engagement and water, sanitation and hygiene in order to reduce casualties and prevent the spread of the disease.
"The cases have spread from the rural areas of Bimbo and Mbaiki to all parts of the country's capital, Bangui. This increases the risk of rapid transmission of the disease in densely populated urban areas. More than 400 suspected cases and 36 community members who have died have been reported so far," the statement said.
OCHA noted that the situation was further aggravated by the rainy season, low immunity levels, limited access to safe water and sanitation, and human mobility along the Oubangui River.
The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) stated that 44 percent of cholera cases are seen in children under the age of 10. UNICEF provided cholera kits that can be used in the treatment of 300 people and distributed 2,000 doses of oral rehydration salt and zinc for treatment at the community level. The agency also set up additional tents to increase the capacity of the national cholera treatment and referral center from 40 beds to 70 beds.