KIGALI, Rwanda — The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has issued an urgent appeal for $16.5 million to bolster its response to the expanding mpox outbreak in East and Southern Africa, with a particular focus on protecting children and vulnerable communities.

UNICEF’s regional director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Etleva Kadilli, emphasized the critical situation as confirmed mpox cases continue to spread across Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa.

"Children and vulnerable communities are on the verge of an expanding outbreak," Kadilli said in a statement on Thursday.

According to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Burundi has reported over 500 confirmed mpox cases in approximately 25 out of 49 districts. Alarmingly, nearly 60% of these cases involve children and adolescents under the age of 20, with 21% affecting children under 5 years old.

UNICEF highlighted the need for immediate lifesaving response measures, including risk communication efforts and cross-border collaboration.

Kadilli also called for investments in strengthening overall health systems, ensuring the continuity of essential services, and focusing on programs that support child well-being.

The new variant of the mpox virus (clade Ib), which has been detected in all affected countries except South Africa, poses a significant risk of wider transmission, particularly among young children.

UNICEF also raised concerns about the secondary impacts of the mpox outbreaks on children and adolescents, including stigma, discrimination, and disruptions to education.

The Democratic Republic of Congo remains the most affected country in the region, with nearly 18,000 cases recorded since the beginning of 2024, according to Africa CDC data. — Agencies