The World Health Organization (WHO) and the BFA Foundation (FBFA) signed a funding agreement today worth 30.1 million kwanzas to support the cholera response and mitigate the impact of recent floods in Benguela Province.
This initiative comes as Angolan authorities are stepping up efforts to prevent and control cholera in the most affected areas, amid growing public health challenges posed by extreme weather events and waterborne disease outbreaks. These factors disproportionately affect the most vulnerable communities, increasing health risks and exposure to cholera, which requires rapid, coordinated, and effective responses.
Since the start of the current cholera outbreak in late 2024, 41,301 cases and 993 deaths have been recorded in the country. The province of Benguela is one of the hardest-hit, with 7,446 reported cases and 164 deaths. Through this partnership, WHO and FBFA will support the Government’s efforts to strengthen cholera prevention, control, and response measures, thereby contributing to the protection of affected populations and more effective intervention in priority areas.
The WHO Representative in Angola, Dr. Indrajit Hazarika, highlighted the strategic importance of the partnership, emphasizing that this agreement represents a critical investment in protecting the health of the most vulnerable populations.
“By strengthening the cholera response in Benguela, we are directly contributing to saving lives, reducing risks, and supporting national authorities in the effective management of public health emergencies.”
Under this agreement, WHO will be responsible for implementing and monitoring the project, ensuring that interventions are carried out in accordance with international standards and aligned with national priorities. Actions will focus on key areas, including epidemiological surveillance, case investigation, infection prevention and control, risk communication, and community mobilization, to strengthen the response capacity of health services.
According to Maria do Carmo Bernardo, chair of the board of directors of the BFA Foundation, this partnership represents a concrete and supportive response to a situation that demands coordination, speed, and proximity to the most vulnerable communities. She added that “for the BFA Foundation, supporting this initiative reaffirms our commitment to the well-being of populations and the protection of life.”
The collaboration between the WHO and the FBFA highlights the crucial role of partnerships between national institutions, international organizations, and the private sector in responding to health emergencies, especially in a context where climate change continues to place increasing pressure on health systems.
This agreement represents a decisive step, not only in the immediate response to the current emergency in Benguela, but also in strengthening local capacity to prevent and respond to future public health crises.
