West and Central Africa: Latest events at a glance (3 - 9 December 2024)

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Unidentified disease kills 31 people in Panzi Health Zone, Kwango province

An unidentified disease reported in Panzi Health Zone in Kwango province in the west of the country affected 406 people and claimed 31 lives between 24 October and 5 December, according to an update by WHO on 8 December. A rapid intervention team deployed in the affected area detected the clinical symptoms of the disease, including fever, headaches, cough, runny nose, and body aches. The disease has been reported in nine of the 30 health areas in the Panzi health zone, with the majority (95.8 per cent) reported in Tsakala Panzi, Makitapanzi, and Kanzangi. Children aged 0 to 14 are the most affected age group, making up 64.3 per cent of the cases; children under five account for 54.8 per cent of the fatalities. Women represent 59.9 per cent of total cases. Among the fatalities, all severe cases involve malnutrition. There are 145 cases among people aged 15 and older, with a case fatality rate of 6.2 per cent. The majority of deaths occurred in rural communities.

West and Central Africa

United Nations and humanitarian partners launch $7.6 billion appeal for 2025 to support 35 million people affected by crises in West and Central Africa

On 4 December, the United Nations and humanitarian partners launched a US$7.6 billion appeal to provide lifesaving assistance and protection services to 35 million of the most vulnerable people across West and Central Africa in 2025. Humanitarian needs in the region are driven by conflict, violence, and the climate crisis. Protection remains the most pressing need for many vulnerable people, as violence and conflict threaten their lives and livelihoods. Women and girls are at risk of gender-based violence including sexual violence. Vulnerable communities facing severe food insecurity and acute malnutrition struggle to build the resilience needed to face future shocks.

Mali

Nearly 2,000 IDPs arrive in Sévaré following attacks by non-state armed groups

On 5 December, humanitarian partners reported the arrival of 1,890 people (some 309 households) in Sévaré village, in Mopti region, central Mali, following attacks by non-state armed groups in their villages in Bandiagara region on 3 and 4 December. During these attacks five civilians were killed; the assailants also set fire to property and stole livestock. Attacks against civilians in villages along the Sevaré-Mopti axis have become increasingly frequent. Civilians are forced to move closer to the main towns in search of safety.

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone launches nationwide preventive Ebola vaccination for frontline workers

Sierra Leone has become the first of the countries hardest hit by the 2014 West Africa Ebola outbreak to roll out a nationwide preventive Ebola vaccination campaign. Starting on 4 December 2024, the campaign is targeting 20,000 frontline workers, including health professionals, ambulance drivers, traditional healers, and security forces across all the country’s 16 districts. The vaccination campaign, implemented by Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health with support from Gavi, WHO, and UNICEF, utilizes the Ervebo vaccine provided by Gavi’s global vaccine stockpile. This initiative aims to strengthen health security by protecting those at high risk of exposure to Ebola, and to mitigate future outbreaks. The 2014 outbreak claimed nearly 4,000 lives in Sierra Leone and devastated the health system, killing 7 per cent of the healthcare workforce. The preventive campaign marks a critical step in strengthening resilience and preparedness, aligning with global efforts to protect vulnerable populations in Ebola-prone regions.