The UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) is appealing for $18.5 million to fund efforts aimed at controlling the outbreak of mpox.
According to a statement released by the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Wednesday, the spread of mpox has significantly increased the infection risk for migrants in the Horn of Africa, eastern and southern regions of the continent.
The agency emphasized the urgent need for “crucial” healthcare and support ahead of what they described as an “anticipated surge” in cases.
Migrants and other marginalized populations, particularly those displaced by natural disasters and conflicts, are among the most vulnerable to mpox infection.
These groups often live in poor conditions and face “significant barriers” when seeking healthcare, the IOM explained. This makes them particularly susceptible to the virus, which has become a growing concern across these regions.
“The spread of mpox across East, Horn, and Southern Africa is a grave concern, especially for the vulnerable migrant, highly mobile populations, and displaced communities often overlooked in such crises,” said Amy Pope, IOM Director General.
“We must act swiftly to protect those at the highest risk and to mitigate the impact of this outbreak on the region.”
Amy Pope
Mpox has been a persistent threat in Africa for over a decade, but the situation has become more alarming due to the region’s role as a major migration hub.
The Horn, eastern, and southern Africa are home to 12.2 million international migrants — nearly half of all migrants on the continent. The spread of mpox within these populations is exacerbated by their mobility and the cross-border nature of their movements.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), six out of the 12 African countries that reported mpox outbreaks by August 8 are located in the Horn, eastern, and southern regions.
New cases have recently emerged in Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda, where cross-border infection has been identified as a significant factor in the virus’s spread.
In response, the IOM has launched an appeal targeting 13 countries: Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The funds will be used to support infection prevention, control, and response measures, especially at border crossings. Additionally, the appeal will fund awareness campaigns among migrant and host communities, as well as internally displaced persons (IDPs).
“This preparedness and response plan aims to prepare for and respond to the anticipated surge in mpox cases and mitigate the spread and the likely negative impacts of the virus spreading throughout the region,” the IOM stated.
The region’s status as an “origin, destination, and transit hub” for migrants poses significant challenges to disease prevention.
Strengthening Healthcare to Curb Mpox Spread
The IOM is working to build the capacity of national healthcare workers and frontline responders, to identify high-risk areas for effective monitoring of the disease and curbing its spread from one country to another.
“Vulnerable populations such as migrants and IDPs impacted by mpox, or at risk of being affected, must receive the necessary healthcare and protection, particularly in regions where access to such services is limited and have a high number of migrants and displaced populations.”
IOM
The IOM’s announcement follows the World Health Organization’s recent declaration of mpox as a public health emergency of international concern.
This decision was made in response to the rapid spread of a new strain, known as clade 1b, from the eastern DRC.
Clade 1b is primarily transmitted through sexual contact, though the WHO has indicated that more research is needed to understand other potential modes of transmission, including from the blisters associated with the disease.
Recent WHO data reveals over 15,000 suspected mpox cases in the DRC, with 537 reported deaths. Globally, the number of mpox cases has surpassed 100,000.
Mpox, a disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans, spreads through close contact with infected individuals or animals via respiratory droplets, blood, body fluids, or lesions.
Symptoms include fever, rash, headaches, sore throat, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and backache.
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