Le choléra est une menace mondiale, et depuis janvier 2022, trente pays ont signalé des flambées de choléra – y compris des régions qui en étaient exemptes depuis des décennies. Le choléra peut provoquer une déshydratation sévère et entraîner la mort en quelques heures.
La propagation du choléra est alimentée par les conflits, l’urbanisation rapide et non planifiée, l’insécurité alimentaire, ainsi que par la faiblesse des systèmes de santé et d’assainissement. Le changement climatique aggrave encore la situation, accentuant les inégalités et exposant des millions de personnes supplémentaires au risque.
We already have the tools and knowledge to prevent and stop cholera.
The vast majority of cholera cases can be treated with a simple oral rehydration method, if administered quickly. An oral cholera vaccine (OCV) is also available to help prevent or respond to cholera outbreaks. However it is not a solution on its own.
Greater investments are needed to improve access to water, sanitation and hygiene services – which are the only long-term solutions to prevent cholera.
To eliminate cholera and stop recurring outbreaks, from 2025 to 2030 the IFRC is scaling up efforts in priority countries through a combined strategy of rapid response and long-term prevention.
Our efforts are fully aligned with the global strategy for cholera control, Ending Cholera: A Global Roadmap to 2030. IFRC contributes to the roadmap’s goal of reducing cholera deaths by 90% by 2030
Cholera Brochure_April_2025 by Wash Geneva
Our cholera strategy focuses on three main actions that are closely aligned with the GTFCC Roadmap.
Improve preparedness, early detection and response to contain cholera outbreaks
We support National Society branches and communities in cholera hotspots to prepare to respond early. We strengthen health systems through community-based surveillance by volunteers for early detection and monitoring, and improve access to care with oral rehydration therapy, rehydration points, and referrals for severe cases.
A long-term integrated WASH approach to prevent cholera
The IFRC invests in long-term WASH programmes to sustainably reduce and prevent cholera by increasing access to safe water and sanitation. We implement health and hygiene behaviour change and social marketing campaigns in communities, alongside advocacy and support for cholera vaccination campaigns.
Internal and external advocacy, coordination, and resource mobilization
Coordinate technical assistance in countries and regions together with GTFCC efforts, assist the establishment of country support platforms, as well as identify interest from organisations and donors to support technical and/or fundraising activities.
We support Red Cross branches and communities in cholera hotspots to prepare for early response. We strengthen health systems through community-based surveillance by volunteers for early detection and monitoring, and improve access to care with oral rehydration therapy, rehydration points, and referrals for severe cases.
The IFRC invests in long-term WASH programmes to sustainably reduce and prevent cholera by increasing access to safe water and sanitation. We implement health and hygiene behaviour change and social marketing campaigns in communities, alongside advocacy and support for cholera vaccination campaigns.
We coordinate technical assistance in countries and regions together with GTFCC efforts, assist the establishment of country support platforms, and find synergies between organisations and donors to support technical and/or fundraising activities.
See IFRCs Epidemic Control Toolkit for Cholera for detailed information the disease, and effective methods for preventing and controlling its spread. There are resources for both response managers and communtiy volutneers.
Epidemic Control toolkitIFRC and National Societies have developed and adapted a number of training resources, including for community volunteers on the Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV), a Branch Outbreak Response Training (BORT) for cholera, and training on Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) preparedness and response at branch and community level. Find these resources on our Training page.
Training pageA simple solution tackling acute watery diarrhoea in Cameroon
Community level Cholera preparedness
IFRC-DREF Disaster Spotlight - Syria Cholera
IFRC trains Malawi Red Cross Volunteers in Cholera oral rehydration
Malawi Red Cross Society - Tackling Cholera Outbreak
The Story of Cholera (Global Health Media Project)
The Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC) – a partnership of over 50 organizations – is working closely with countries to achieve a 90% reduction in cholera deaths and eliminate cholera in 20 countries and by 2030.
By scaling up technical assistance and offering tools and recommendations to support the development of National Cholera Control Plans (NCPs), the GTFCC has contributed to enabling national governments to take the lead in implementation.
In 2017 the GTFCC established the Country Support Platform (CSP) hosted by IFRC in Geneva. The CSP provides multisectoral operational and technical support as well as the advocacy, coordination and policy guidance necessary for countries to develop, fund, implement and monitor their NCPs effectively.
For more information please contact: countrysupportplatform@ifrc.org
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