The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has mobilised USD 750,000 to help Guinea-Bissau tackle a cholera epidemic that has affected 2,000 people and killed 41 across the West African nation.

"The situation is grave and calls for urgent and critical engagement of all parties," Silvia Luciani, UNICEF Representative for Guinea Bissau, said.

"We must step up our efforts to ensure that all emergency funds and supplies made available are utilized immediately and effectively to save human lives and put a stop to the epidemic."

The UNICEF is leading the effort to disinfect Guinea-Bissau's water system in capital Bissau and the most affected regions in the south and west, managing potentially contaminating human waste and distributing hygiene and sanitation products such as soap and bleach.

"As of August 14, over 2,000 people had contracted cholera, with 41 people having lost their lives, according to the Health Ministry.

The agency is also creating awareness against cholera by spreading the message, with the support of religious and traditional leaders, calling on the population to respect recommendations on disease prevention and proper hygiene to prevent the spread of cholera.