West and Central Africa is currently navigating a complex landscape of public health crises and humanitarian challenges, demanding urgent attention and coordinated global action. From the emergence of mpox in Guinea-Bissau to persistent cholera and Ebola outbreaks, coupled with a worrying surge in violence against civilians and aid personnel, the region faces significant hurdles in ensuring the well-being and safety of its populations. ## Protecting Humanitarian Aid and Civilians Amidst Growing Dangers The humanitarian situation across West and Central Africa has reached a critical juncture. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has issued a powerful call for stronger protection of both civilians and aid workers. This plea, coinciding with World Humanitarian Day, highlights the severe threats faced by those caught in conflict zones and those striving to deliver life-saving assistance. Escalating violence, often characterized by increasingly deadly methods of warfare, has made it incredibly difficult for aid organizations to reach vulnerable communities. Humanitarian access, which is crucial for delivering food, medicine, and other essential supplies, is steadily shrinking. Alarmingly, in 2026 alone, five humanitarian workers have lost their lives, nine have been injured, and fourteen have been kidnapped, with national staff bearing the brunt of these attacks. The evolving nature of conflict, including the use of armed drones and other emerging technologies, further endangers civilians and complicates humanitarian operations. The human toll is stark: between January and July of 2026, over 15,350 people were killed due to insecurity across the region, a figure that nearly matches the total deaths recorded for all of 2025. OCHA strongly reminds all parties involved in conflicts of their obligations under international humanitarian law – a set of rules that protects individuals in armed conflict – and stresses the imperative to ensure safe, unfettered access for humanitarian efforts. ## Guinea-Bissau Confronts First Mpox Outbreak Guinea-Bissau is currently experiencing its first-ever recorded outbreak of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, signaling a new public health concern for the nation. As of mid-August, seven confirmed cases had been identified, primarily in the capital, Bissau, with one case reported in the Biombo region. While all confirmed cases are adults and no deaths have been reported, the situation is particularly concerning due to the demographics of suspected cases. Almost half of the 46 suspected cases involve children under the age of 15, including a significant number of children under five. This demographic raises red flags because younger children are known to be at a higher risk of developing severe complications from mpox. Mpox is a viral disease with symptoms similar to smallpox, though generally milder. It typically presents with fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a characteristic rash that can appear anywhere on the body. Transmission usually occurs through close contact with an infected animal or person, or with contaminated materials. The country's already fragile disease surveillance system poses a significant challenge, raising fears that many cases might go undetected and unreported. Furthermore, the impending reopening of schools in September could act as a catalyst for increased transmission, especially among children, amplifying the need for robust public health measures, community awareness campaigns, and enhanced surveillance to quickly identify and isolate new cases. ## Tackling Cholera Across the Region with New Funding Cholera remains a persistent and deadly threat across West and Central Africa, with numerous countries battling ongoing outbreaks. In response, the European Commission has stepped in with a substantial emergency humanitarian funding allocation of €2.3 million to bolster cholera response efforts in four particularly affected nations: Nigeria, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and Chad. Nigeria, with the largest allocation of €1.5 million, is a key focus, followed by €500,000 for the Central African Republic, €200,000 for Chad, and €100,000 for Cameroon. This vital funding is earmarked for critical interventions, including improved case management to ensure proper treatment for those infected, enhanced disease surveillance to track the spread of the illness, and crucial water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiatives. WASH efforts are paramount in preventing cholera, as the disease is primarily spread through contaminated food or water. Community engagement programs are also integral to educate populations on prevention and control measures. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the African region recorded over 61,000 cholera cases in the first five months of 2026 alone, underscoring the widespread nature of this preventable and treatable disease. ## DRC Battles Expanding Ebola Outbreak The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to battle a challenging Ebola outbreak, with national authorities reporting over 5,200 confirmed cases and nearly 2,500 deaths as of mid-August. Ebola is a severe, often fatal, illness in humans. The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (e.g., bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids. In response to the expanding crisis, the government and its international partners are scaling up their efforts. Key priorities include ensuring safe care capacity to manage patients, fostering strong community engagement to build trust and encourage safe health practices, implementing safe and dignified burial practices to prevent further transmission, and strengthening disease surveillance systems for early detection. Support for vulnerable populations, including survivors and those affected by the outbreak, is also a crucial component of the response. Highlighting the vast geographical challenges, a new United Nations-backed initiative aims to strengthen surveillance and preparedness along more than 1,700 kilometers of the Congo River. This extensive effort focuses on critical ports and transit points, recognizing the river's role as a major transport route that could facilitate virus spread. Additionally, WHO has allocated 70,000 doses of the effective Ebola Zaire vaccine, primarily to protect frontline health workers who are most at risk. A clinical trial is also underway to assess the vaccine's potential effectiveness against the Bundibugyo virus, another strain of Ebola that has caused outbreaks in the past. ## A United Front Against Public Health Threats The interconnectedness of these challenges – from humanitarian access issues to multiple disease outbreaks – underscores the need for a holistic and collaborative approach. Addressing violence and ensuring the safety of aid workers and civilians is fundamental to any effective health response. Simultaneously, strengthening fragile health systems, improving disease surveillance, enhancing public health infrastructure, and continuing robust vaccination and treatment campaigns are critical to mitigating the impact of diseases like mpox, cholera, and Ebola. The resilience of communities in West and Central Africa, coupled with sustained international support and adherence to humanitarian principles, will be vital in overcoming these complex and pressing public health and humanitarian crises.