The year 2023 witnessed a record increase in cholera cases. According to preliminary data issued by the World Health Organization, the disease infected more than 667,000 people worldwide, with 4,000 deaths.

These numbers exceeded those recorded in 2022, and the World Health Organization classified the global resurgence of cholera as a level three emergency, the highest level of internal health emergencies, according to the British newspaper "The Guardian".

The most severe outbreak was in Malawi in Africa and Haiti in the Caribbean, where the death toll reached 1,771 and 1,156 respectively, making it the worst epidemic outbreak in the history of Malawi.

Machinda Marongwe, director of the "Oxfam" program in South Africa, said: "The unprecedented rate of cases and deaths is terrifying and overwhelms the health systems in these countries."

Marongwe also added, "The outbreak is escalating into an uncontrollable health crisis."

At least 30 other countries have reported cases since the beginning of 2024, with Zambia reporting 7,500 new cases since October, witnessing 500 new cases and 17 deaths within just 24 hours this week.

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema urged people to leave cities and return to rural areas, where schools remain closed to prevent further spread.

There were also reports of unrest fueled by misinformation about the outbreak coming from neighboring Mozambique.

At least three people were killed during outbreaks of violence in northern Mozambique this week, when attackers burned buildings amid accusations that the government deliberately spread the disease.

Marongwe explained that governments and agencies in the region need "immediate funding to implement activities and projects that would help improve people's hygiene and access to clean water, as these two factors are essential in combating the spread of this disease."

Cholera is a bacterial disease transmitted through contaminated water and food, causing severe diarrhea and vomiting.

Also, considering the spread of the disease in new countries and the global shortage of cholera vaccines, the World Health Organization said it continued to assess the disease risk level as "very high".

Last year, the international vaccine alliance "Gavi" said it expects the global vaccine shortage to continue at least until 2025.

The outbreak of waterborne diseases has been exacerbated by natural disasters and floods; last year, East Africa experienced devastating floods mainly caused by the climate change crisis.