UNICEF Global Mpox Preparedness and Response for Children

On 21 August 2024, UNICEF activated a Level 3 Corporate Emergency scale-up in countries affected by outbreaks of mpox, which is caused by the monkeypox virus. This followed the declaration by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) of a public health emergency of continental security on 13 August and the declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO) of a public health emergency of international concern on 14 August.

The UNICEF response is aligned with the Africa CDC and WHO joint continental response plan for Africa, and contributes to outbreak control and to the mitigation of the socioeconomic impacts of the outbreak. Given how quickly Mpox can spread, and its effects on children and pregnant women, UNICEF’s response to the outbreak focuses on breaking active transmission of the disease, preventing secondary harm to children and supporting preparedness efforts.