Why?
The appeal supports the Guinea Red Cross Society to respond to the escalating Ebola outbreak by delivering assistance and support to some 11.1m people, with a focus on information and communication, education, awareness raising, and social mobilization, surveillance, case identification and contact management, case management (including management of dead bodies), psychosocial support, and regional preparedness and response. 2014’s Ebola epidemic in West Africa is the largest to date, and the first ever outbreak in West Africa. The epidemic in the region began in Guinea and then spread to the neighbouring countries of Liberia and Sierra Leone. These three countries comprised the heart of the outbreak, having more than 11,000 deaths and over 28,000 cases between them. There were also smaller outbreaks in Senegal, Nigeria, and Mali. The current outbreak in Guinea is unprecedented by its main characteristics. Indeed it affects rural and remote areas, urban areas as well as neighbourhood countries. Given that context, the proposed strategy focuses on strengthening Conakry HQ and Gueckedou Local Committee as the two hubs from where the emergency response to the outbreak is designed and implemented all around the affected districts.
What?
The (revised) plan of action will build on the activities already being conducted and the lessons learnt related to the evolution of the outbreak. The ongoing escalation in cases and the engagement of other partners in some areas of the response requires a change of strategy that allows more integration of the key pillars and a focus on areas where the National Society can contribute most effectively to breaking the chain of transmission in effort to control the outbreak. Case management will be an additional component in this appeal due to the severe shortage of appropriate facilities for care of confirmed cases.
Who?
This multilateral appeal supports 1,1 million people in Guinea.