Summary
IFRC’s Ebola strategic framework is organised around 5 outcomes:
The epidemic is stopped
National Societies have better Ebola preparedness and stronger long term capacities
IFRC operations are well coordinated
Safe and Dignified Burials (SDB) are effectively carried out by all actors
Recovery of community life and livelihoods
Six emergency appeals were launched to combat Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreaks in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Senegal, while providing coordination and technical support at the regional and global level.
In helping stop the epidemic, the appeal operations employ a 5 pillar approach comprising: (1) Beneficiary Communication and Social Mobilization; (2) Contact Tracing and Surveillance; (3) Psychosocial Support; (4) Case Management; and (5) Safe and Dignified Burials (SDB) and Disinfection.
Smaller preparedness and response operations were financed by the IFRC Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) in Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Togo, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, Gambia, Kenya, Guinea Bissau and Ethiopia. In total, 16 countries in Africa have launched emergency operations relating to this outbreak.2 The epidemiological situation continues to fluctuate, and there are concerns that the fast approaching rainy season (April – May) will hinder Ebola response activities. The rains have the potential to wash away roads and isolate entire communities, complicating logistics for aid delivery and movement of health care workers and other Ebola responders.
Although current transmission is currently confined to a relatively narrow geographic corridor, the population is currently highly mobile, with a great deal of movement throughout surrounding districts and countries. Despite ongoing and extensive community engagement, more than half of all EVD deaths in Guinea continue to be identified post-mortem in the community, there are ongoing reports of unsafe burials occurring, and many confirmed cases are not listed as registered contacts, suggesting that the outbreak is still being driven by unknown chains of transmission.
A new report released by UNICEF has highlighted the dramatic impact Ebola has had on children.
According to UNICEF, of the more than 24,000 people infected, more than 5,000 are children, and more than 16,000 children have lost one or both parents, or their primary caregiver, to Ebola.
Researchers have also raised concerns about the likelihood of an unprecedented measles outbreak in West Africa. The Ebola outbreak has caused severe disruption to health care services in affected countries, including childhood vaccination programs, resulting in a 75% drop in vaccination rates in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Researchers have estimated that the number of children under five who will go unvaccinated could be as many as 1 million by June.
In the first two weeks of March, Guinea recorded 149 confirmed cases and 84 deaths. The epidemic is now almost entirely concentrated in Conakry and surrounding prefectures in Lower Guinea, particularly in Forécariah. The IFRC and GRC are redeploying human resources to reinforce teams in Lower Guinea and to increase the response capacity in the region. Outside of Lower Guinea, only Macenta and Lola remain active in the epidemic.
Guinea has confirmed dates for the upcoming Presidential election, which will take place in October 2015. The IFRC and Guinea Red Cross are reviewing security and operational plans in anticipation of the campaign season and election. In addition the IFRC and GRC will review the on-going Ebola operation and Emergency Appeal to ensure adequate measures are taken to address the consequences of the Ebola outbreak during the rainy season, to be able to efficiently deliver humanitarian services to the affected population. Finally, the Red Cross Recovery Assessment Team has completed their field visits, and are now working with IFRC and GRC to complete their findings and recommendations.
As of 12 March 2015, there had been no new confirmed cases in Liberia, and the last case was discharged from an ETU in Montserrado County on 4 March 2015. If this situation continues, Liberia will be declared Ebola-free on 14 April 2015 (42 days must elapse before transmission can be considered to have ended).
While the country is cautiously optimistic of being declared Ebola-free by the WHO, there remains a need for sustained strengthening of cross border surveillance and management. Until Ebola is eradicated in Guinea and Sierra Leone, Liberia remains at risk of reinfection.
The planned integrated measles vaccination program has been delayed, and will now commence on 10 May 2015. Following LNRCS’ suggestion, the MoH and partners have agreed social mobilization efforts should be strengthened to increase support in the community.
Despite concerted efforts, Ebola is still spreading in Sierra Leone. However, in the week to 15 March, 55 confirmed cases were reported, which is the lowest weekly total since late June 2014. The Western Area Urban and Port Loko remain hotspots, while Kenema has now completed 21 days without any new confirmed cases, and Bo and Pujehun have not reported any cases in over 42 days. There are currently more than 140 people in treatment centres and more than 8,000 contacts being monitored across the country.