Syria: WHO launches emergency response against cholera resurgence

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a six-month emergency health and WASH response to protect over 800,000 people in Syria at high risk of contracting cholera. Since August 2024, the disease has shown signs of resurgence in the country, with 1444 suspected cases and 7 deaths. Most cases have been recorded in Aleppo, Lattakia, Al-Hasakeh, and several displacement sites. The renewed spread of the disease is due to drought, population movement, and repeated disruption to water and sanitation systems. WHO’s emergency response combines targeted health and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions, focusing on early detection of cholera cases and the rapid deployment of health teams to high-risk areas. It also includes risk communication, infection prevention and control, and sustained water quality monitoring. Acting WHO Representative in Syria Christina Bethke said the response is designed to catch outbreaks quickly and help communities protect themselves. The WHO is also strengthening its Early Warning Alert and Response System (EWARS) and expanding laboratory capacity to confirm cases faster and allow health workers and volunteers to respond in real-time.
The WHO intervention is supported by the Syria Humanitarian Fund and conducted in partnership with the Syrian Ministry of Health.