The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has issued an appeal for $16.5 million to scale up its response to the mpox outbreak in East and Southern Africa.

Regional Director Etleva Kadilli expressed deep concern about the new strain of mpox posing a significant threat to vulnerable children and families in the region. With over 200 confirmed cases across Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa, the outbreak is on the verge of expanding.

UNICEF emphasized the need for immediate lifesaving measures, risk communication efforts, cross-border collaboration, and investments in overall health system strengthening. The agency warned about the potential for wider transmission of the new mpox variant (clade Ib) across age groups, especially young children.

Burundi has reported the highest number of cases, with over 170 confirmed in 26 out of 49 districts. Children and adolescents make up nearly 60% of cases detected, including a significant percentage of children under 5.

The outbreak adds to the existing challenges faced by many countries in the region, including drought, floods, and other ongoing crises. UNICEF also raised concerns about the secondary impacts of mpox on children and adolescents, such as stigma, discrimination, and disruptions to education.

The agency called for a collective effort to prioritize plans for supporting survivors, combating stigma, and ensuring continuity of basic social services, particularly education and children's reintegration into their communities. (ILKHA)