Summary:
CHF 262,914 was initially allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) on 29 August 2012 to support the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Red Cross in delivering assistance to some 830,000 beneficiaries. An operation update was published on 15 November 2012 to extend the timeframe from three to five months.
Over 150 community volunteers of the Democratic Republic of Congo Red Cross (DRC RC), 25 supervisors placed under the control of the provincial committee and headquarters were mobilized to respond to the Ebola hemorrhagic fever outbreak reported in the Equateur Province, in August 2012. While in the field, they were all supported by a field delegate and the Regional Health Coordinator of the Federation.
Red Cross action consisted of intensive proximity awareness-raising, early identification and referral of cases to treatment centres, hygiene and sanitation activities and safe burials. Psychosocial support to victims and their relatives was facilitated through the use protective equipment, materials, logistics and technical support; this, with the close collaboration of the IFRC.
In collaboration with Red Cross volunteers, political and administrative authorities, churches, radio and television stations and community outreach workers also carried out a vast prevention campaign by raising public awareness in Isiro, Haut Uele, Orientale Province, and in the entire DRC. This joint and synergistic action of the Red Cross, the Ministry of Health and other partners helped to halt the spread of the epidemic. On 23 November 2012, the end of the Ebola hemorrhagic fever epidemic in DRC and in the Isiro and Viadana health zones was announced.
All activities planned under this DREF operation were implemented and this narrative is final in terms of activities carried out, with a final financial report attached. A balance of CHF 1,690 will be returned to DREF.
Donors who have replenished this DREF operation include the Belgian Red Cross and government and European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (DG ECHO). 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, DG 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. Details of DREF contributions are found on: http://www.ifrc.org/docs/appeals/Active/MAA00010_2012.pdf
The IFRC, on behalf of the Democratic Republic of Congo Red Cross Society, would like to extend its thanks to all partners for their generous contributions.
