Summary: CHF 178,829 was allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) on 7 September 2012, to support the Red Cross Society of Guinea (RCSG) in delivering assistance to some 25,000 households.
In February 2012, cholera cases began to appear throughout the regions of Conakry and Forecariah. The epidemic worsened in July and August (5,699 cases and 109 deaths as of 2 September 2012) and reached a level that exceeded the response capacities of the National Society.
With the DREF funds allocated, the National Society implemented cholera prevention activities across several affected regions to support the Cholera Treatment Centres (CTCs). A detailed assessment was undertaken by the National Society, which informed the plan of action developed. The National Society produced and distributed sensitization materials as well as hygiene kits to 25,000 households. Up to 645 volunteers were trained on Epidemic Control (ECV) and Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST) as well as dead body management. The trained volunteers sensitized 174,080 people on cholera prevention, water treatment and hygiene in the households. Additionally, volunteers supported disinfection of community facilities and households where cholera outbreaks had been recorded, as a way to prevent further spread.
Significant achievements were recorded at the end of the operation as no new cases were registered since the last week of October 2012. This can be partly attributed to the continuous and sustained hygiene awareness and sensitization sessions supported by the trained Red Cross volunteers and also to related interventions by collaborating partners. The response operation was implemented in coordination with local authorities and other humanitarian actors, enhancing the collaboration between the Red Cross Society of Guinea and its partners. At the end of the operation, a small balance of CHF 5,410 remained and was returned to DREF.
The Netherlands Red Cross and government contributed to the replenishment of the DREF allocation made for this operation. The major donors and partners of DREF include the Australian, American and Belgian governments, the Austrian Red Cross, the Canadian Red Cross and government, Danish Red Cross and government, the European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO), the Irish and the Italian governments, the Japanese Red Cross Society, the Luxembourg government, the Monaco Red Cross and government, the Netherlands Red Cross and government, the Norwegian Red Cross and government, the Spanish Government, the Swedish Red Cross and government, the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), the Medtronic and Z Zurich Foundations, and other corporate and private donors. The IFRC, on behalf of the National Society, would like to extend thanks to all for their generous contributions. Details of DREF contributions are found on: http://www.ifrc.org/docs/appeals/Active/MAA00010_2012.pdf