UNICEF says it has raised $1.8 million out of the $25 million urgently required to respond to Nigeria’s cholera outbreak, with 25,074 children, representing 44 per cent of suspected cases nationwide, affected, mostly in Borno State.

According to its July–August 2026 situation report, 12,794 of the affected children are under five, while 12,280 are aged six to 14. Nationwide, 57,030 suspected cases and 357 deaths have been reported, with Borno accounting for 97 per cent of infections and 86 per cent of fatalities.

“Transmission remains geographically widespread, while Borno State remains the epicentre, recording 55,452 suspected cases and 308 deaths across all 23 LGAs and 194 wards,” UNICEF noted, adding that 105 deaths occurred in communities due to delayed care-seeking.

Of the $25 million appeal, $8.5 million is earmarked for water, sanitation and hygiene, $4.5 million for case management, $3 million for surveillance and laboratories, $2.5 million each for communication and logistics, $2 million for oral cholera vaccine support, $1.5 million for continuity of services and $500,000 for coordination.

UNICEF said oral cholera vaccination reached 2.8 million people in Maiduguri and Jere, while WASH teams disinfected 165,803 households, chlorinated 411 water points and distributed Aqua Tabs to 147,117 households. Hygiene promotion reached 862,000 people, while radio campaigns extended prevention messages to 3.6 million people.

The Borno treatment network includes four Cholera Treatment Centres, 31 treatment units and 56 oral rehydration points, providing 961 beds. UNICEF supported 97 surge staff, while the World Health Organisation trained 70 emergency medical personnel. More than 55,000 patients have been discharged after recovery.

UNICEF warned that shortages of trained health workers, weak surveillance systems, inadequate water infrastructure, seasonal flooding and insecurity continue to fuel transmission.

It stressed that children, displaced persons and host communities remain among the most vulnerable, with urgent funding needed to sustain the response.