Luanda, 11 April 2025 – In Angola’s Mussenga neighborhood, located in Icolo e Bengo province, community leader Manuel Domingos recalls a time when water access was unreliable, with his community depending on a “unreliable water tank.” This situation reflects a widespread issue across Angola, where government data shows that around 44% of the population lacks access to safe drinking water, and only 55% have adequate sanitation. These figures are even worse in rural areas, heightening the risk of diseases like cholera.
Angola’s Cholera Outbreak and Response
Since January 7, 2025, Angola has been battling a cholera outbreak, which has affected around 11,500 people and resulted in nearly 440 deaths by April 9, 2025.
In response, health authorities, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), have launched a mission to identify and treat the country’s main water sources. The goal is to pinpoint contamination points, ensure access to safe water, and halt the spread of cholera.
Mapping and Treatment Efforts to Address Water Contamination
In January and February 2025, 28 public health officials from 15 municipalities across five of the most affected provinces were trained to map water sources. The training focused on using georeferencing tools to locate and document water points, track cholera cases, and identify contamination areas. This initiative enabled teams to deploy resources for water treatment, case management, and community outreach.
“Thanks to this training, we were able to identify contamination points and work closely with the Ministry of Energy and Water and the National Institute for Health Research to ensure families have access to safe drinking water,” said Marinela Moniz, technical officer at the Department of Environment and Basic Sanitation in Cacuaco, a suburb of Luanda.
Improved Access to Safe Water
As a result of these efforts, nearly 320 water sources have been mapped across Angola, with a special focus on Luanda and Icolo e Bengo provinces, which together account for 94% of cholera cases and 15% of deaths in the country. In Mussenga, the community has seen significant improvements in water safety.
Domingos says, “The visit of technicians to our neighborhood improved the situation. The technicians educated us about the importance of treated water, and since then, our tanks have been supplied with safe water. Now, our children are better protected from the threat of cholera.”
Multisectoral Efforts to End Cholera
WHO’s representative in Angola, Dr. Indrajit Hazarika, stressed the importance of collaborative efforts in tackling cholera. “Thanks to strong leadership and the support of partners, we are optimistic about controlling contamination and eventually ending cholera in Angola.
However, we must accelerate access to quality water, improve sanitation, strengthen prevention measures, and ensure lasting protection to save lives,” Hazarika said.
Community Engagement and Ongoing Efforts
In addition to technical interventions, public health officials like Moniz are visiting communities weekly to raise awareness and encourage families to follow preventive measures. “With more training and the right resources, we are confident we can ensure safe drinking water for families, end the cholera outbreak, and save lives,” Moniz said.
Angola’s coordinated approach is showing promise in addressing the cholera crisis and improving access to safe water for its citizens. With continued efforts, the country aims to curb the outbreak and safeguard public health.
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