The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. It is the world's largest humanitarian organization and its millions of volunteers are active in 185 countries.
In Brief
This DREF Bulletin is being issued based on the situation described below reflecting the information available at this time. CHF 219,497 (USD 180,507 or EUR 135,492) was allocated from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to respond to the needs in this operation, or to replenish disaster preparedness stocks distributed to the affected population. This operation is expected to be implemented over 3 months, and will be completed by July 2007. The Final Report will be made available three months after the end of the operation. Unearmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged.
This operation is aligned with the International Federation's Global Agenda, which sets out four broad goals to meet the Federation's mission to "improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity".
Global Agenda Goals:
- Reduce the numbers of deaths, injuries and impact from disasters.
- Reduce the number of deaths, illnesses and impact from diseases and public health emergencies.
- Increase local community, civil society and Red Cross Red Crescent capacity to address the most urgent situations of vulnerability.
- Reduce intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion and promote respect for diversity and human dignity.
Background and current situation
Sudan falls within the traditional African "Meningitis belt" which includes 21 of the most vulnerable countries. Recent epidemics occurred in 1988 and 1999. The latest outbreak of meningitis started in southern Sudan in early 2007 and hit 16 states. The current surveillance indicates that northern Sudan also the threshold of a meningitis outbreak. Five northern states, ten southern states, and one Darfur state are among the most affected areas, who have reached their epidemic thresholds.
From 1 January to 8 April 2007 a total of 11,786 meningitis cases and 704 deaths have been reported in southern Sudan. In northern Sudan 775 cases and 43 deaths had been reported as at 17 April 2007. In total, 46 counties in 16 states of Sudan have so far been affected
In response to the high rate of mortality as a result of the epidemic, the Sudanese Red Crescent (SRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has combined forces with Partner National Societies (PNSs), national authorities and United Nations (UN) agencies to promote a three-month intervention programme focusing on vaccinations, assistance for treatment in hospitals and health centres, a community education and awareness campaign as well as health education for SRC volunteers.
For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:
- In Sudan: Osman Jaffer, Secretary General, Sudanese Red Crescent Society, Khartoum; Email: srcs@sudanmail.net; Phone:+249.183.77.20.11; Mobile: +249.912.31.88.88
- In Sudan: Gunnar Strom, Federation Head of Sudan Delegation Khartoum, Email: gunnar.strom@ifrc.org; phone +249.9.123.04.023, fax +249.183.770.484
- In Kenya: Per Jensnäs, Federation Head of Eastern Africa Regional Delegation, Nairobi; Email: per.jensnaes@ifrc.org; Phone +254.20.283.51.24; Fax +254.20.271.84.15
- In Kenya: Youcef Ait Chellouche, Acting Disaster Management Coordinator, Nairobi; Email: youcef.aitchellouche@ifrc.org; phone +254.20.283.52.11; fax +254.20.271.50.87.
- In Geneva: Amna Al Ahmar, Federation Regional Officer for East Africa, Africa Dept.; Email: amna.alahmar@ifrc.org; Phone +41.22.730.44.27; Fax+41.22.733.03.95.
All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable. For support to or for further information concerning Federation programmes or operations in this or other countries, or for a full description of the national society profile, please access the Federation's website at http://www.ifrc.org