With the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Coordination Group, over 900 000 doses of cholera vaccines (50% of an additional approved 1.8 million doses) arrived in Lebanon on Wednesday, 14 December 2022. 

Funded by the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and the Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE) these doses will be used during phase 2 of the oral cholera vaccination campaign led by the Ministry of Public Health with the support of partners. 

The first campaign began in mid-November 2022 and reached over 90% coverage as of early December 2022, targeting refugee and host communities in hotspot areas and regions affected by the outbreak. 

“We’re thrilled to see our collective efforts with the Ministry of Public Health and all partners paying off despite the global shortages in cholera vaccines,” says Dr  Abdinasir Abubakar, WHO Representative in Lebanon. “There is still more to do, including rapidly activating and supporting the rapid response teams at the field level, improving the water and sanitation situation, strengthening subnational coordination, elevating community engagement, and maintaining a stock of medical supplies and PPE.”

Since the first case was declared on 6 October 2022, 5135 suspected cholera cases (658 laboratory-confirmed) and 23 associated deaths have been reported. Among the 20 out of the 26 districts at the national level with recorded laboratory-confirmed cases, Akkar and the north governorates, are still recording the highest number of cases.

WHO requires around US$ 11.2 million for the cholera response over 6 months: only 29% has been received so far.