Crisis watch

DRC – Ebola outbreak in North Kivu

As of 3 December, a total of 3,331 Ebola cases have been reported, of which 56% were female, 28% were children aged less than 18 years, and 5% were health workers; 2,207 people have died.

To date CARE has reached 422,000 people with our response, which focuses on community engagement, filling the critical gaps in WASH (water, sanitation, hygiene) and in infection prevention and control. For example, 274 Community Animation Cells were set up in Butembo, Katwa and Lubero and 3,006 people were trained on Ebola prevention. In Lubero, 40 community action plans were developed, awareness campaigns were conducted and community dialogue is ongoing. We are also providing practical help, for example, we distributed intimate hygiene kits to more than 600 girls and women at risk in the health zones of Butembo and Katwa. In Katwa, six health facilities received a tank for water storage, chlorination kit and handwashing system.

Burkina Faso

Attacks by armed groups on civilians have intensified in the eastern region and the escalation of violence is contributing to a growing humanitarian crisis. 1.5 million people need humanitarian assistance and more than 486,000 people are displaced from their homes. Access to food, shelter, WASH, health care and protection remain priorities for internally displaced people.

CARE has reached 13,400 people through shelter, non-food household items, water, sanitation and hygiene support, and unconditional cash distributions. Findings of the rapid gender analysis will be used to inform CARE’s response strategy.

Madagascar – Tropical Storm Belna

It is expected that the storm will strengthen to cyclone strength and make landfall by 9 December. CARE Madagascar is currently mobilising human resources and logistics to respond if necessary. CARE staff are currently participating in preparation at different regional levels and are ready for emergency assessments and responses.

CARE Madagascar has prepositioned stock of plastic sheeting and non-food item kits (hygiene kits, etc) in the Boeny and Atsinanana regions to respond immediately to the needs after the cyclone. CARE Madagascar can also draw on a 'crisis modify' fund under an ECHO-funded project (ECHO - European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations) to help fund a response.

Somalia – floods

Flooding across Somalia following heavier-than-usual Deyr rains has affected more than 547,000 people, of whom 370,000 have been displaced from their homes. Two tropical cyclones named Pawan and Amphan have simultaneously formed along the coast of India and are expected to cause heavy rainfall and dangerous flash flooding in low lying areas and dry rivers in Puntland (in northern Somalia) and are likely to affect more people.

The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) as well as Somaliland, Puntland and Galmudug State authorities lack the resources and capacity to respond to the immediate needs of the affected population and rely heavily on international assistance. Outstanding needs include emergency shelter, non-food items, safe drinking water, latrines, rehabilitation of shallow wells, mosquito and vector control, nutrition, mobile health supplies and medicine, dignity kits, solar street lamps, gender-based violence services, and child friendly spaces. Displaced people, particularly children, women and the elderly, face serious hunger, health and protection risks.

CARE Somalia and  partners work in areas affected by floods and are assessing the impact of the disaster. CARE Somalia is seeking donor funding and plans to respond with essential non-food items, WASH (water, sanitation, hygiene) support, hygiene kits, and cash assistance.

Philippines – Typhoon Kammuri

Kammuri is the Philippines' 20th tropical cyclone for 2019. It brought strong winds, heavy rains, flooding and landslides that destroyed houses and rice fields in Bicol Region and Northern Samar. Over 225,000 people have evacuated from their homes.

CARE emergency teams are on the ground assessing the damage in Northern Samar, where we have an ongoing development project, and in Albay, where we have recently worked. Immediate needs for affected communities will be food, emergency shelter items and hygiene kits. Samar is an agricultural province and farmers will be heavily affected by flooding and damage to ricefields.

The government has been proactive in providing information and warning to at-risk communities. We continue to coordinate and work with government units to cover and complement humanitarian needs of the affected population.