As the rainy season intensifies, WASH-NET is calling for heightened cholera preparedness across the country. The devastating cholera outbreak of 2012, which infected more than 20,000 people and claimed hundreds of lives, remains a stark reminder of the dangers posed by inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall and flooding.
Many communities continue to face challenges related to poor sanitation, unsafe water sources, inadequate waste management, and limited hygiene practices. These conditions, coupled with seasonal flooding and overcrowded settlements, increase the risk of cholera transmission and threaten public health, especially in vulnerable communities.
WASH-NET urges government institutions, local councils, development partners, civil society organisations, the private sector, and communities to work together to strengthen cholera preparedness measures. Key actions should include improving environmental sanitation, protecting water sources, enhancing disease surveillance, supporting public awareness campaigns, and pre-positioning essential response supplies in high-risk areas.
Preventing cholera requires collective action and sustained investment in water, sanitation, and hygiene services. WASH-NET calls on all stakeholders to put their hands on deck and act now to protect communities and prevent a recurrence of the tragic 2012 outbreak. Together, Sierra Leone can build resilience and safeguard public health throughout the rainy season. See attachment for press release below:
WASH-NET CALLS FOR URGENT CHOLERA PREPAREDNESS AS RAINY SEASON INTENSIFIES
Freetown, Sierra Leone – 5th June 2025.
As the rainy season intensifies , WASH-NET is calling for heightened cholera preparedness across the country. The devastating cholera outbreak of 2012, which infected more than 20,000 people and claimed hundreds of lives, remains a stark reminder of the dangers posed by inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall and flooding.
Many communities continue to face challenges related to poor sanitation, unsafe water sources, inadequate waste management, and limited hygiene practices. These conditions, coupled with seasonal flooding and overcrowded settlements, increase the risk of cholera transmission and threaten public health, especially in vulnerable communities.
WASH-NET urges government institutions, local councils, development partners, civil society organizations, the private sector, and communities to work together to strengthen cholera preparedness measures. Key actions should include improving environmental sanitation, protecting water sources, enhancing disease surveillance, supporting public awareness campaigns, and pre-positioning essential response supplies in high-risk areas.
Preventing cholera requires collective action and sustained investment in water, sanitation, and hygiene services. WASH-NET calls on all stakeholders to put their hands on deck and act now to protect communities and prevent a recurrence of the tragic 2012 outbreak. Together, Sierra Leone can build resilience and safeguard public health throughout the rainy season.
For further inquiries, please contact:
Richard Nelson Caulker
Advocacy and Communications Officer
Email: richard@wash-net.org
About WASHNet Sierra Leone:
WASHNet Sierra Leone is a local non-governmental organization dedicated to advocating for the rights to water, sanitation, and hygiene services and advancing public health issues across. The organization works to ensure that communities have access to safe and clean environments and promotes the importance of improved health and hygiene behaviours.
