Brief
Cholera is the most frequent multi-country emergency in the MPA region, with major outbreaks in Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and the Horn in recent years. This contingency plan converts hard-won lessons into a pre-agreed regional playbook so that response is a matter of activation, not improvisation. It defines outbreak thresholds and alert levels, the regional coordination structure and who leads at each level, the minimum stockpile of oral rehydration salts, cholera kits and vaccine, and the surveillance and laboratory pathway from suspected case to confirmation. Crucially it specifies the cross-border notification protocol so that an outbreak detected in one district triggers timely alerts in neighbouring countries. The plan is complemented by a simulation-exercise package so that countries can rehearse activation before a real event.
Alert levels & activation
Three alert levels tie case thresholds to specific coordination and resourcing actions, removing ambiguity about when and how the regional response switches on.
Stockpile & logistics
A minimum regional stockpile of ORS, cholera kits and OCV is defined, with pre-agreed sharing arrangements between neighbouring countries.
Cross-border notification
A standard alert triggers when case counts cross a threshold within a defined distance of an international border.
Full document
Related in this collection