A father is given soap and aquatabs to protect his family from cholera. © CARE / Tim Freccia
Following an outbreak of cholera in Sierra Leone in August CARE launched an emergency response to target over seven hundred thousand people with cholera prevention.
Due to CARE’s efforts to manage and contain the deadly disease, the numbers of cholera cases stabilised and reduced during the 6 week response.
How did CARE respond?
CARE scaled up its cholera response across four Districts, Bombali, Kambia, Tonkolili and Koinadugu. At the end of the cholera response CARE reached over 774,000 people.
- 147,518 people benefited from cholera kits (13,640 kits per household and 774 in schools)
- 9,310 people benefited from 49 dramas campaigns conducted.
- 774,642 benefited from radio messages on cholera prevention.
CARE’s six week emergency response to the cholera epidemic significantly contributed to the reduction in new cases of cholera.
In the long term CARE will continue to collaborate with the department of health, Community Health Clubs and Mother to Mother Support Groups in all the operational Districts to ensure that cholera prevention activities continue.
Radio broadcasts
Radio discussions 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.
Rapid Response Facility
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.
Help with disaster relief: Donate to our Emergency Fund.
