The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a source of un-earmarked money created by the Federation in 1985 to ensure that immediate financial support is available for Red Cross Red Crescent response to emergencies. The DREF is a vital part of the International Federation’s disaster response system and increases the ability of National Societies to respond to disasters.
CHF 109,796 was allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) on 5 March 2012 to support the Uganda Red Cross Society in delivering assistance to some 22,000 of the most vulnerable beneficiaries out of 111,287 people in the affected divisions in Mbale Municipality and other parts of the district.
Summary
A new episode of cholera outbreak was confirmed in Mbale municipality on 16 February 2012 by the Uganda Ministry of Health (MoH) initially infecting 26 people and causing 2 deaths. Since the onset of the outbreak, the cumulative number of infected persons rose to 555 with 30 deaths reported by 30 July 2012, representing a record low case fatality rate (CFR) of 6.2 %. By the time of reporting, the epidemic situation was under control and no new cases were reported. This is largely due to the efforts of the Ministry of Health, Uganda Red Cross Society and the other partners who engaged the communities in integrated Epidemic Control for Volunteers (ECV) and Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST) toolkits. It facilitated improved public awareness and prevention on the cholera epidemic through hygiene improvement, active case search and referral and early treatment of cases that helped to save over 111,000 lives in the four affected districts of Mbale, Manafwa, Bududa and Sironko in Eastern Uganda. The assistance included sensitization and support to households in the affected communities with the most immediate hygiene supplies like water purification chemicals, clean water vessels, soap for hand washing, as well as Information, Education & Communication (IEC) materials that were distributed to improve literacy about Cholera and promote safe water, clean environment, food and personal hygiene in the target communities that eventually led to controlling the spread of the epidemic.
This DREF was 100% replenished. Partners who contributed include the Belgian Red Cross/Belgian Government and the European Commission’s Humanitarian Office (ECHO)-CHF. The Uganda Red Cross Society and IFRC would like to extend thanks to all the donors for their generous contributions.
Details of all donors can be found on http://www.ifrc.org/docs/appeals/Active/MAA00010_2012.pdf.