The European Union (EU) has provided GHC 1.6 million (€100,000) in humanitarian funding to support communities affected by the ongoing cholera outbreak.
The outbreak, which began in October 2024, has spread to 36 districts across five regions-Greater Accra, Central, Western, Eastern, and Ashanti.
In a news brief, the EU stated that its financial assistance would support the Ghana Red Cross Society (GRCS) in delivering critical relief interventions, including chlorine for disinfection, handwashing devices, and public health education.
Following the cholera outbreak, the Ghana Health Service reported 4,850 suspected cases and 35 deaths by the end of December in 2024, despite ongoing vaccination efforts to curb the spread of the disease.
The outbreak has been attributed to poor hygiene practices, inadequate sanitation, and heavy rains exacerbating drainage issues.
However, the funding support would prioritize high-risk areas such as displacement camps and informal settlements on the urban periphery.
According to the EU, the funding is expected to benefit 150,000 individuals who are at high risk of cholera transmission due to inadequate access to clean water and sanitation facilities.
The Ghana Red Cross has been at the forefront of the response, providing sanitation resources and engaging communities to curb the spread.
The support forms part of the EU’s broader contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
The EU has a €14.5 million humanitarian delegation agreement with the IFRC to replenish the DREF for small-scale disasters that do not trigger a formal international appeal.
It works through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department to assist millions of victims of conflict and natural disasters.
Further, the EU contributes €40 million towards the development of Ghana’s vaccine manufacturing capability under the Global Gateway flagship initiative. The EU provides emergency relief based on humanitarian needs.
