Highlights
As of 19 November 2014, according to the Government of Sierra Leone, the cumulative number of laboratory confirmed Ebola virus disease (EVD) cases is 5,152. The number of confirmed deaths is 1,240 and 956 have been discharged from treatment (survivors). The government estimates that around 22 percent of cases are children and youth (0-17 years).
To date, the UNICEF-led Family Tracing and Reunification (FTR) network has identified 4,374 children as being affected by the Ebola crisis (2,184 girls and 2,190 boys), including 1,500 children who have lost one or both parents to EVD. This is an increase of 891 affected children from the previous reporting period.**
The first ten UNICEF supported community care centres (CCCs) in Bombali started admitting its first patients this week. In Tonkolili, the sites for the next 13 CCCs have been confirmed and construction is underway. An initial 40 UNICEF supported CCCs are planned to be completed in the coming weeks.
With UNICEF support, the first Observational Interim Care Centre (OICC) for contact children without parental care was opened in Lunsar, Port Loko and is already providing care for 30 children who need to be closely monitored during the 21-day period in the event they become symptomatic.** The Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs (MSWGCA) is working with UNICEF and other partners to rapidly open OICCs in other districts. OICCs will provide care for unaccompanied contact children between the ages of four and 12 years of age.
UNICEF Sierra Leone is 88 percent funded against the six month humanitarian action for children (HAC) appeal of US$61 million. However, given the unprecedented scale of the crisis and increasing needs in the country, the current funding appeal is under revision.
SITUATION IN NUMBERS
As of 19 November 2014
5,152
Number of cumulative confirmed Ebola cases (GoSL, 19 Nov 2014)
1,240
Number of confirmed Ebola deaths (GoSL, 19 Nov 2014)
4,374
Number of children affected by Ebola (FTR network, 17 Nov 2014)
3.12 million (1.01 million under 5)
Number of children living in affected areas (GoSL 2014)
6.34 million
Population of Sierra Leone (GoSL 2014; OCHA, Sept 2014)
Priority Humanitarian Funding needs September 2014 to February 2015
US$ 61 million
Funding gap of
12%
