EU gives Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, CAR €2.3m to fight cholera outbreak

The European Commission has allocated a total of €2.3 million in emergency funding to Nigeria, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and Chad to combat an ongoing cholera epidemic. According to the World Health Organisation, over 61,000 cholera cases were reported in the African Region during the first five months of 2026.

Nigeria will receive €1.5 million, which will be used to bolster intervention teams, supply essential resources such as cholera kits, and bolster water, sanitation, and hygiene initiatives. This includes treating public water points and households' water sources.

Cameroon will receive €100,000 to aid in containment efforts and case management, including providing additional personnel for humanitarian partners, vital medications, extra cholera treatment units, and oral rehydration stations in the most affected villages.

The Central African Republic will receive €500,000 to scale up case management and vaccination efforts, as well as water, sanitation, and hygiene initiatives. The funding will also strengthen risk communication and community engagement, enhance surveillance and case detection, and support dignified and safe burials.

Chad will receive €200,000 to break the chain of cholera transmission by improving access to water, sanitation, hygiene, and community support for surveillance and case management.

Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management, stated that at a time when humanitarian needs are escalating and resources are dwindling, Europe is not turning a blind eye. The emergency funding will enable partners to act swiftly, contain the outbreaks, and safeguard communities most vulnerable to the disease.

Cholera is caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacterium. The infection primarily spreads when people consume contaminated water. In severe cases, rapid fluid loss can quickly result in dehydration and shock.