The UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Wednesday it had asked for $18.5 million in aid to deliver urgent assistance to those sick with mpox in Southern and Eastern Africa.
"The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is appealing for USD 18.5 million to provide crucial health-care services to migrants, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and host communities in East, Horn, and Southern Africa at risk of mpox," the organization said in a statement.
As of today, there are over 15,000 alleged disease cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo alone, including 537 deaths. There have also been cases registered in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda, the statement read.
"IOM is concerned about migrants, IDPs, and highly mobile populations in the region who tend to be at far greater risk of infection due to their living conditions, and mobile and transitory lifestyles, which can greatly limit their access to health and medical care. IOM's appeal and preparedness and response plan are designed to reduce the risk of exposure to the disease for these vulnerable groups," the statement read.
Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is a rare infectious disease that is also transmitted between people. It is usually a mild disease that most people recover from within a few weeks, but some may have complications.
The initial symptoms of mpox include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, enlarged lymph nodes, chills, and fatigue. A rash may develop, often starting on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body.