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Benin

Benin: Cholera outbreak (MDRBJ013), DREF Operation update No. 2

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Period covered by this update: 9 October, 2013 – 31 January, 2014

Summary: CHF 201,952 was allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) on 9 October 2013 to support the National Society in delivering assistance to some 20,000 beneficiaries; a second allocation of CHF 39,902 was allocated on 21 November 2013 to assist 25,000 additional beneficiaries.

During the Benin cholera outbreak 2013, a total of 681 cases were registered with 6 deaths. The initial outbreak was concentrated in the municipality of Sô-Ava in the Atlantic region in southern Benin counting a total of 206 cases in 2013 and during the course of October the concentration of cases shifted to Cotonou, the largest city in the country with a total of 210 cases and 4 deaths.

Through the two DREF allocations, the Beninoise Red Cross Society (BRCS) has implemented health and water and sanitation related interventions reaching more than 17,000 households (more than 100,000 persons) through door-to-door cholera awareness and hygiene promotion sessions, mass awareness through presence in public places and mass media campaigns, distribution of soap and water treatment materials and rehabilitation of latrines and water facilities.

During December 2013 no new cases were registered, but since early January 2014, 32 additional cases have been registered in Sô-Ava municipality in communities not targeted in the original plan. This update announces a one-month timeframe extension to implement cholera awareness and hygiene promotion activities in the affected communities while monitoring the situation.

Due to change of logistical arrangements, reduced unit prices and increased transport costs have been registered for items shipped through the IFRC global logistics services. To accommodate this change and the additional volunteer activities in Sô-Ava, a revised budget is announced decreasing the water, sanitation and hygiene costs with CHF 25,000 and increasing transport costs with 12,000 and volunteer costs with 13,000.

This operation is expected to be completed by 28 February 2014. In line with Federation reporting standards, the Final Report (narrative and financial) is due 90 days after the end of the operation (by 31 May 2014).

DG ECHO and the Belgian Red Cross / Belgian Government contributed to the DREF in replenishment of the allocation made for this operation. The Beninoise Red Cross Society thanks DREF donors for their generous support.