BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / RankWire.AI / – The European Commission has allocated €2.3 million in emergency humanitarian funding to fight cholera outbreaks in West and Central Africa. The assistance will support Nigeria, Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Chad. Officials said the money will fund treatment, surveillance, clean water access and sanitation measures. The announcement comes as cholera cases have risen across several African countries during 2026, with Nigeria recording a sharp increase centered largely in Borno State.
Nigeria will receive €1.5 million, the largest share of the emergency package. The funding will expand intervention teams and provide cholera kits and other essential supplies. It will also support treatment of public water points and household water. Authorities will use part of the assistance to strengthen disease surveillance in hard-to-reach areas. The program also covers case management, risk communication and community awareness as health teams work to contain transmission in affected communities.
The latest World Health Organization data show 90,049 reported cholera cases across 18 countries in its African Region through June 28. Those cases included 1,528 reported deaths. Nigeria recorded 26,848 cases and 181 deaths during the same period. In June alone, the country reported 19,887 new cases and 97 deaths. WHO said Borno State accounted for more than 95% of Nigeria’s reported cases in 2026, with Maiduguri, Jere and Monguno among the most affected areas.
Funding targets treatment, water and surveillance
The Central African Republic will receive €500,000 for case management, vaccination and water, sanitation and hygiene programs. The funding will also strengthen surveillance, case detection and community engagement. It will support safe and dignified burials where required during the outbreak response. WHO recorded 386 cholera cases and 31 deaths in the country through June 28. The European Commission said the assistance forms part of its emergency humanitarian response to the outbreaks affecting the four countries.
Cameroon will receive €100,000 to reinforce outbreak containment and patient care in affected villages. The support will fund additional humanitarian staff, essential medicines, cholera treatment units and oral rehydration points. WHO reported 108 cases and six deaths in Cameroon through June 28. Chad will receive €200,000 for water, sanitation and hygiene measures. The funding will also support community surveillance and case management. Chad recorded 109 cases and three deaths during the same reporting period.
Nigeria surge drives regional case increase
WHO said the African Region reported 27,954 new cholera cases across 12 countries in June, up 95% from May. The region also recorded 284 cholera-related deaths that month. Nigeria reported the highest number of new cases, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan. WHO linked the rise in Nigeria to the surge in Borno State, where conflict, population displacement, inadequate sanitation and rainfall have increased the risk of cholera transmission.
Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by consuming food or water contaminated with Vibrio cholerae bacteria. Severe cases can cause rapid dehydration and require prompt treatment. The EU funding will support measures aimed at interrupting transmission and improving access to care in affected areas. Across the four recipient countries, the package totals €2.3 million. The assistance focuses on treatment capacity, surveillance, vaccination where applicable, safer water supplies, sanitation and direct community support during the continuing outbreak response.