Image of handwashing from CARE information poster in Sierra Leone.In Sierra Leone cholera remains on an upward trend nationally, with the current number of cases at 13,934, and with 232 deaths.
New cases have been reported from the previously unaffected Kenema district, which means that 11 of the country’s 13 districts are affected, putting 4.6 million people potentially at risk.
CARE is responding, and has delivered a total of nearly 300,000 aqua tabs, over 20,000 cakes of soap and nearly 9,000 sachets of Oral Rehydration Salts. We have started distribution of prevention kits in the Bombali district, with an initial focus on affected and high-risk areas. Similar distributions are imminent for the Tonkolili and Kambia districts.
CARE Emergency Outreach Officers have also carried out rapid assessments alongside the District Disease Surveillance Officers of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation in these three districts to map out areas for further distribution of prevention kits.
A radio discussion on cholera prevention and how to use the prevention kits, led by CARE Emergency staff in collaboration with the District Health Management Team, took place on the regional Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation radio station in Bombali. It was re-broadcast by two other Local FM radio stations.
CARE continues to jointly coordinate water, sanitation and hygiene interventions and encourage people in Sierra Leone to adopt safe practices whilst spreading information in their own communities. CARE also participated in developing a cholera response strategy.
CARE has led the process of coordinating with partners in our areas of operation, working jointly and avoiding duplication of efforts.
CARE International UK has received funding from the UK government’s new Rapid Response Facility which will allow CARE to reach the affected people faster and save lives.
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