CHF 190,878 has been allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the National Society in delivering immediate assistance to some 116,400 beneficiaries in the cholera affected areas. Unearmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged.
Summary: Since 10 of March, the region of Mayo Kebbi East is affected by a serious cholera outbreak. Due the lack of adequate sanitation facilities, proper hygiene education among vulnerable communities and drinkable water, the epidemic is rapidly spreading, with 1,432 persons affected and 30 deaths so far being recorded.
Volunteers from the regional and sub-divisional committees of the Red Cross of Chad have been mobilized to participate in targeted sensitization activities and to promptly refer suspected cases to health centres and hospitals. The local administrative authorities suspended schools and markets to restrain the spread of the epidemics. A joint assessment mission composed of the Red Cross of Chad and the Chadian Ministry of Health was undertaken in the affected area. Reports revealed that health centres and hospitals were overwhelmed by cholera victims and generally underequipped.
The current operation will scale up the work of volunteers in order to reduce the spread of the epidemic. The operation will quickly launch the training of volunteers in affected areas to enable them to carry out mass sensitization campaigns. Targeted communities will be supported to rehabilitate and build adequate family latrines. Trained volunteers will also support disinfecting wells and existing latrines. Throughout, volunteers will continue to refer suspected cases to health centres and hospitals.
This operation is expected to be implemented over 3 months, and will therefore be completed by 30 June, 2011. A Final Report will be made available three months after the end of the operation (by 30 September, 2011).