- EU allocates GHC 1.6m to fight cholera
- Funding to benefit 150,000 high-risk individuals
- Cholera outbreak affects 36 districts in Ghana
The European Union (EU) has provided GHC 1.6 million (€100,000) in humanitarian funding to support communities affected by the ongoing cholera outbreak in Ghana. This outbreak, which began in October 2024, has spread to 36 districts across five regions: Greater Accra, Central, Western, Eastern, and Ashanti.
According to the EU, the financial assistance will enable the Ghana Red Cross Society (GRCS) to provide essential services, including chlorine for disinfection, handwashing devices, and public health education. By the end of December 2024, the Ghana Health Service reported 4,850 suspected cases and 35 deaths, despite ongoing vaccination efforts.
The outbreak has been attributed to poor hygiene practices, inadequate sanitation, and heavy rains that have exacerbated drainage issues. To address this, relief efforts will focus on high-risk areas, including displacement camps and informal settlements.
The EU expects the funding to benefit approximately 150,000 individuals at high risk of cholera transmission due to limited access to clean water and sanitation. This support is part of the EU’s broader contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Through a €14.5 million humanitarian agreement with the IFRC, the EU replenishes the DREF to address small-scale disasters that do not trigger a formal international appeal. As one of the world’s leading humanitarian aid providers, the EU assists millions of victims of conflict and natural disasters through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department.
Additionally, under its Global Gateway flagship initiative, the EU is contributing €40 million to support Ghana’s vaccine manufacturing development.
