The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is launching a preliminary emergency appeal for a total amount of CHF 1,2 million (US$ 957 000, EUR 764 000) to support the Angola Red Cross Society for a period of 6 months in immediately responding to a cholera outbreak affecting 11 provinces throughout the country, which has already claimed more than 1,200 lives.
“The rapid spread of cholera threatens the lives and livelihoods of tens of thousands of people and must be addressed immediately,” says Martin Acosta, the International Federation’s Representative in Angola. “Though the Angola Red Cross has mobilized its own resources to respond to the crisis, international support is urgently needed,” he adds.
From February 13 to May 15, Angola has reported a total of 35,033 cholera cases and 1,246 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 4 %. On May 15, the country reported 615 new cases in just 24 hours. The outbreak was first detected in the Luanda district of Boavista on February 13. The capital, Luanda, has been the hardest hit by the epidemic, along with the Benguela, Malanje and Kuanza Norte provinces. Difficult access to the areas as well as overcrowding and appalling sanitation conditions in the slums around Luanda fuelled the waterborne disease which spreaded quickly.
“Disease control activities have been a challenge because of the poor living conditions characterized by contaminated water sources, inadequate sanitation facilities and lack of information on diseases,”says Martin Acosta.
Based on the deteriorating situation, the International Federation is deploying a Field Assessment Coordination Team to reinforce the Regional Disaster Response Team recently deployed. Activities such as early case detection and referral, the distribution of jerry cans to affected households as well as 60,000 water purification sachets will be scaled up. 80 trained Red Cross volunteers will be assisting the medical staff in disinfecting and cleaning up treatment centres, existing water points and houses affected by cholera. 800 youth in the communities will also be mobilized for clean-up campaigns. 650 Angola Red Cross volunteers will be trained to identify cholera cases and to provide hygiene education to the local population. The construction of latrines and water points will be included in mid-term development programmes.
A total of CHF 200,165 (US$ 167,000, EUR 129,000) has been allocated from the International Federation’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund to respond to the immediate needs of the operation and to support social mobilization activities. The International Federation and the Angola Red Cross Society are coordinating their efforts with the Angolan Ministry of Health, UN agencies and other non-governmental organizations.
View the Angola emergency appeal.