World Relief Calls Upon International Community to Address Global Health Threat of Mpox

Contact: wr@pinkston.co 

(Baltimore, MD) August 16, 2024 – On August 14, the Africa CDC declared mpox (previously known as monkeypox) as a global health threat. The disease has now spread to 14 African countries, resulting in over 17,000 cases and 500 deaths, as well as heightening the threat of mpox becoming a larger, more devastating global pandemic. 

“The continued spread of mpox throughout vulnerable populations in Africa is devastating communities across the region, many of whom lack access to lifesaving healthcare and vaccines,” said Myal Greene, President and CEO of World Relief. “With mpox now elevated to a global health emergency, the international community needs to act – both to save lives and prevent this from becoming a pandemic that takes tens of thousands of lives.” 

The first outbreak of mpox occurred in 2022 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and cases have now spread to neighboring countries including Rwanda, Burundi, Chad, Kenya, and Sudan, all countries where World Relief has an active presence. The most impacted countries are those already weakened by ongoing conflict, climate crises and other fragilities. Vaccines are currently available to address mpox, but not in adequate quantities to address the growing need, and vaccine access is also complicated by high international prices and national policies that limit vaccine use. Lab capacities in Eastern DRC are being maxed out by the competing demands from recent suspected ebola cases, an ongoing cholera outbreak and the rising demand from mpox. 

“Access to basic healthcare and vaccines can make the difference between life and death for those impacted by mpox in Africa, yet few have access to the resources they need,” said Lanre Williams-Ayden, Senior Vice President for International Programs at World Relief. “Last month, World Relief staff in the DRC assessed the impact of mpox in North Kivu, in particular, and the findings were concerning, especially in the Mudja Internally Displaced Persons camp. The virus spreads through close contact between people, so those in situations with inadequate sanitation, close quarters and high rates of sexual violence are uniquely vulnerable. Tragically, 60 percent of confirmed cases in the DRC have been among children under the age of 15.” 

Addressing the mpox outbreak will require ministries of health in Africa to rapidly approve the use of mpox vaccines. Also, there is a need to increase available vaccines from 200,000 doses to 10 million to meet demand. The impacts of the disease can be mitigated by increasing countries’ capacity to provide those most affected with access to prevention and treatment efforts, such as risk communication and community engagement to trace close contacts and provide support to families affected by the outbreak.

World Relief encourages the U.S. government, the global health community and individuals motivated by their faith to stand with the people of the DRC and neighboring countries by responding to this emerging crisis, ensuring the resources and coordination necessary to halt this crisis and save lives.