Angola is facing its worst cholera outbreak in two decades. The disease has spread rapidly since January, with over 17,400 reported cases and nearly 600 deaths.

Heavily affected areas include Luanda, Benguela, and Bengo, where access to safe water is limited and health services are overwhelmed. The outbreak has hit hardest in communities already burdened by poverty and food insecurity. Many people are too unwell to work, leave their homes, or attend church. Some are now going hungry, isolated by illness and without access to basic provisions.

The outbreak has also disproportionately affected children and young adults, with those under 20 accounting for a significant portion of cases. The rapid spread is attributed to inadequate access to clean water, poor sanitation, and the ongoing rainy season, which exacerbates the contamination of water sources. 

In response, Angola’s Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and other partners, has launched a comprehensive intervention strategy. This includes the deployment of rapid response teams, establishment of cholera treatment centers, and a nationwide vaccination campaign that has reached over one million people in the most affected areas. 

The Anglican Church’s coordinated response to the outbreak includes running awareness workshops through the Mothers’ Union and youth groups, training local leaders to identify symptoms and prevent transmission, and delivering practical support to affected households. Bishop Bondo (Diocese of Divina Esperança) described this as a “crucial and difficult time” for the nation.  

PRAYER POINTS:

• We pray for healing and protection for all those affected by cholera in Angola, especially children and young people.
• We pray for sustaining strength for health workers, church leaders, and volunteers responding to the outbreak
• We pray for communities facing isolation, hunger, and fear – especially in regions already burdened by poverty and poor access to safe water.