Attachments
Bangladesh (MDRBD031), Costa Rica (MDRCR023), Guatemala (MDRGT020), Honduras (MDRHN019), Malaysia (MDRMY010), Nepal (MDRNP014), Sri Lanka (MDRLK017)
Executive Summary
This operational review examines IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) interventions for dengue outbreaks across seven countries in the Asia Pacific and Americas regions. By identifying common strengths and challenges in responding to dengue outbreaks, the review provides actionable insights to strengthen preparedness, response capabilities, and long-term resilience strategies throughout the network. The review draws on a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data to provide a comprehensive understanding of interventions in addressing dengue outbreaks. The methodology included desk reviews of operational reports, field visits, and stakeholder interviews with National Societies, government authorities, and community members. This multi-tiered approach enabled triangulation of findings, ensuring depth and reliability. An analytical framework was employed to evaluate interventions across four key dimensions: relevance and appropriateness, efficiency, effectiveness, and long-term impact of the interventions. Each dimension was assessed using structured indicators aligned with global health standards and IFRC guidelines. The review also integrated cross-cutting themes such as Protection, Gender, and Inclusion (PGI), as well as Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA). Findings, lessons learned, and recommendations are presented in a structured format to provide actionable insights. Key common findings are organized thematically to highlight both strengths and challenges across interventions. Lessons learned from successful initiatives, as well as operational constraints, are explicitly detailed to inform future practices. The recommendations are designed to address systemic gaps and enhance operational capacity, emphasizing anticipatory measures, community engagement, volunteer training, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and cost-efficiency. By addressing shared challenges and leveraging collective strengths, IFRC and its National Societies can enhance their capacity to respond to Dengue. The implementation of standardized frameworks, anticipatory approaches, and sustained community engagement will be pivotal in reducing the impact of dengue outbreaks and building long-term resilience. Interventions aligned well with global and national public health frameworks, ensuring consistency and relevance. Community-led approaches, such as clean-up campaigns and tailored awareness initiatives, successfully raised public awareness and engagement. However, challenges in timely implementation and inclusive targeting were noted, emphasizing the need for improved global precrisis preparedness and resource assessments.