In Bujumbura, the former capital of Burundi, the local branch has more than 26,000 volunteers. When the mpox outbreak was reported in the province, Burundi Red Cross volunteers stepped up to ensure that the spread of the disease would be contained and that anyone with symptoms would seek the necessary medical treatment.
Volunteers have a lot of experience in sharing health information in the communities, as they were active during the COVID-19 pandemic and previous disease outbreaks. Volunteers work shifts to inform as many people as possible about mpox, its symptoms, and the prevention measures they can take to keep themselves safe.
They do it by going door-to-door, sharing messages in markets and other public gatherings, on the radio and via posters. They also provide handwashing stations and clean water.
'Happy to support'
“I started volunteering when I saw how the Red Cross volunteers were helping their community during severe flooding,” says Christopher Hatungimana, a 38-year-old who has been volunteering with the Burundi Red Cross for 14 years. “I was impressed with these humanitarian activities and decided to join this important work.”
Christopher learned first aid and has helped people suffering from all kinds of injuries, from burns or broken bones. Since then, he’s also played a role in helping thwart the spread of infectious diseases.
With mpox, it was not easy at first to convince people that mpox should be taken seriously. But volunteers like Christopher persevered with their messages and now people are slowly starting to understand much more about the outbreak.
Christopher admits that he and his fellow volunteers are afraid that they may catch mpox when they visit people with their prevention messages. But he says, they are are careful to take all the necessary precautions. He feels secure to continue his work as he is “happy to bring support to the people in the community”.
Photo: Caroline Haga/IFRC
‘Volunteering is in my blood’
In one of Bujumbura’s districts, pairs of volunteers go door-to-door sharing information about mpox symptoms and how to prevent the disease. The volunteers also take the time to address any misinformation as there is unfortunately some stigma surrounding the disease.
That kind of stigma and misinformation may prevent people from seeking timely medical treatment when the first symptoms occur. And that makes prevention even harder. When seeking treatment, people are tested for mpox and that helps authorities track how the outbreak is developing.
“We are helping them to deal with the epidemic,” says Joselyn Ndayishimiye, who started volunteering in 2006 when she was 17 years old. “After our visits, family members shared the important information with others who were not present. The result is fewer mpox cases.”
Spreading awareness about mpox in the community here is important, she says, because the epidemic needs to be contained. She also sees how their efforts are appreciated by the community.
Photo: Caroline Haga/IFRC
Melance Kamenyeros runs a café-bar that is a local gathering place in his village in the province of Mwaro. Thanks to Burundi Red Cross volunteers and staff, the 47-year-old father of five is well aware of the ongoing mpox epidemic.
“Anyone has good reason to be afraid of an epidemic that has suddenly come to the community,” he says. “Mpox is a disease that can kill a person. But if we observe the proper measures it can be prevented.”
One of the measures is Melance has adopted is insisting that clients entering his establishment first wash their hands properly. Melance thanks Burundi Red Cross volunteers for raising awareness about mpox and for setting up a water source to ensure there is enough for everyone in the village.
These kind of results are encouraging. Why does Joselyn, now 35 years old, continue her work after 18 years of volunteering in support of her community? She just shrugs and says:
“I started volunteering when I was young. It is in my blood.”
At the end of the day, the volunteers gather to meet Red Cross staff from the branch and national headquarters. Their discussion starts, as always, with one person greeting everyone with “Tugire Ubuntu” or, in English, “Let us have humanity”. The whole group replies in unison: “Imisi yose na hose” – “Every day and everywhere”.
Learn more about IFRC's response to mpox:
Africa-wide mpox emergnecy appeal to combat the spread of mpox.