Cholera is a global threat, and since January 2022 thirty countries have reported cholera outbreaks – including places that had been cholera-free for decades. Cholera can dehydrate and kill within hours.
The spread of cholera is fueled by conflict, rapid and unplanned urbanization, food insecurity, and weak health and sanitation systems. Climate change is making the situation even worse, deepening inequalities and putting millions more at risk.
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
We coordinate technical assistance in countries and regions together with GTFCC efforts, assist the establishment of country support platforms, as well as identify interest from organizations 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 pageWhat is the CSP?
The Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC) Country Support Platform (CSP) is the operational arm of the Global Task Force on Cholera Control, providing hands-on support to countries implementing the Global Roadmap to End Cholera by 2030.
Since 2021, the CSP has worked directly with governments to translate global cholera strategies into practical, country-led action. Operating through regional hubs in Asia, West Africa, Central Africa, and Southern Africa, the CSP supports countries in developing evidence-based National Cholera Plans, coordinating multi-sectoral responses, and mobilizing resources for implementation. Our approach emphasizes government ownership, multi-sectoral coordination across health, water, and other ministries, and strategic use of limited resources to catalyze larger investments.
The CSP has supported countries in developing National Cholera Plans (Country Support, NCP Template), facilitated the identification of Priority Areas for Multisectoral Interventions (PAMIs) , and helped establish sustainable coordination mechanisms that continue beyond outbreaks. By serving as a bridge between global technical guidance and local implementation, the CSP accelerates progress toward cholera elimination while building lasting national capacity.
The CSP is hosted by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and operates under the leadership of the GTFCC Secretariat.
Find more information about the GTFCC: www.gtfcc.org
Contact the CSP: countrysupportplatform@ifrc.org
A 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)
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