Why?
The current outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in North Kivu and Ituri provinces is the 10th EVD epidemic declared in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since the first outbreak of 1976. Following the declaration of the outbreak on 1st August, as of 9 October 2018, there has been a total of 194 cases (159 confirmed and 35 probable), including 120 deaths. As such, it is extremely important and urgent to prepare for a potential outbreak at any targeted area/district of the country, to prevent the disease and limit its impact. Volunteers are willing to support, but have limited knowledge, means and tools. The proximity of DRC to South Sudan exposes the population along the border areas at risks of contracting the Ebola Virus Diseases and any suspected case may trigger panic among the communities. In this regard, there is a need for awareness raising among communities and potential psychosocial support for the SSRC staff, volunteers and communities living in identified highly at-risk areas. It is important to train the volunteers and the communities on PSS basic skills and knowledge in order to enable them to attend to the anxiety, depression, and other emotional distresses faced by survivors, frontline healthcare workers, and their affected families. Eastern Equatoria -Nimule Border
Central Equatoria – Yei
Western Equatoria – Maridi Yambio
What?
The proposed operation is aligned with the Regional EVD Strategic Plan and is consistent with the IFRC Disaster Preparedness and Response strategy and hence focuses on the below key pillars:
1. Risk communication and community engagement
2. Infection, prevention and control (IPC), specifically Safe and Dignified Burials (SDB)
3. Psychosocial support (PSS)3
4. National Society Capacity Strengthening and development of an EVD contingency planning4
5. Participation in the coordination of the national response (National Task Force) and technical working groups designated specifically for EVD preparedness and response.
Who?
108,000 people