Fighting Ebola: IFRC and Red Cross scale up in DRC and Uganda

Ebola: IFRC scales up response in eastern DRC as regional risks grow

Kinshasa/Nairobi/Geneva, 21 May 2026 — The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is scaling up Ebola response efforts in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and neighbouring countries, and has launched a CHF 29 million regional emergency appeal.The Democratic Republic of the Congo Red Cross Society, supported by the IFRC, has deployed 200 volunteers in Bunia and Rwampara health zones to support community engagement and frontline public health activities.Red Cross volunteers are already going door-to-door in affected communities, helping families understand how Ebola spreads, countering misinformation, and encouraging early care-seeking when symptoms appear. A Red Cross radio programme is reinforcing these messages at a broader scale.Families are also being advised not to touch or wash the bodies of suspected Ebola victims, as this remains one of the most common routes of transmission during outbreaks. On the first day of activities, Red Cross volunteers reached 645 families.Ariel Kestens, IFRC Head of Delegation in Kinshasa, said: “The Bundibugyo strain is particularly concerning, as there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of treatments and vaccines developed for the Zaire strain. The outbreak is spreading rapidly in areas where health systems are already fragile and where population movement across borders is frequent. The priority now is to act quickly and work closely with communities, as the coming days are critical. We call on the international community to demonstrate solidarity and support the Red Cross Red Crescent’s lifesaving response.”Gregoire Mateso, National President of the DRC RC Secretary General in Kinshasa, said: “People are afraid, but when Red Cross volunteers provide clear information and offer practical support, communities are more likely to seek treatment promptly and follow preventive measures. This clearly demonstrates that our volunteers have earned the trust of the communities they serve, and this trust is essential to stopping the spread of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease.”The outbreak is spreading through areas already affected by insecurity, weak healthcare systems and constant population movement, complicating efforts to contain the virus.Fears of wider regional spread are also growing. Uganda has already confirmed Bundibugyo Ebola cases linked to the ongoing outbreak, while neighbouring countries, including Burundi, Rwanda and South Sudan, are stepping up readiness efforts in high-risk border areas.Robert Kwesiga, Secretary General, Uganda Red Cross Society in Kampala, said: “We have placed our teams and volunteers on high alert and are retraining and preparing them for rapid deployment to support the national Ebola response. As Uganda Red Cross, our role is not only to support emergency health interventions, but also to stand with communities, strengthen public awareness, build trust, and help prevent further spread of the disease. We are working closely with the Ministry of Health and partners to ensure communities in high-risk areas receive timely support, accurate information, and lifesaving humanitarian assistance.”Previous Ebola outbreaks have shown that the chain of transmission can be broken faster when communities trust the response, seek care early and have access to reliable information and support.Urgent funding is needed to expand surveillance, deploy additional burial teams, deliver protective equipment and scale up frontline response efforts in affected communities and high-risk border areas.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Kinshasa: Jean-Michel Ntalemwa, +243 808 804 037In Nairobi: Susan Mbalu, +254 733 827 654  In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa +41 79 708 4367Paolo Cravero +41 79 894 8396

Africa: Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak 2026

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is rapidly escalating, with cases and deaths continuing to rise as the virus spreads across multiple provinces and into neighboring Uganda. Families and communities urgently need access to reliable health information, early detection, safe burials, and lifesaving public health support to prevent further transmission and protect overwhelmed health systems. Donate today to help the DRC and Uganda Red Cross Societies to provide life-saving assistance.Read more: IFRC delivers critical supplies to eastern DRC amid ongoing Ebola outbreak

The Cuban Red Cross brings water, healthcare, and support to communities affected by Hurricane Melissa

Life after Ebola: The stories of survivors highlight the pain people have endured — and the work still to be done.

As Ebola in DRC declared over, IFRC calls for investment in community-based surveillance

Kinshasa/Nairobi/Geneva – 5 December 2025— Following the Ministry of Health’s declaration that the 16th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is officially over, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is calling for an urgent scale-up of community-based surveillance, stronger infection prevention and control, and long-term investment in local health systemsto prevent a resurgence.IFRC warns that the immediate post-outbreak period remains critical, particularly in communities already strained by cholera, mpox, and fragile health infrastructure. To reduce the risk of flare-ups, the DRC Red Cross, with support from IFRC and other National Societies, focuses on strengthening community-based surveillance to rapidly identify and report unusual illnesses or deaths.Ariel Kestens, IFRC Head of Country Cluster Delegation in Kinshasa, says:“Containing an Ebola outbreak is a critical milestone, but the real test begins now. Communities need continued support to detect health threats early. Investing in community-based surveillance, local health workers and stronger systems today is the best protection against potential outbreaks.”Communities remain central to stopping future flare-upsDRC Red Cross volunteers were instrumental in containing the outbreak and will remain at the forefront during the post-outbreak phase. Their ongoing work includes early detection, close coordination with local leaders, hygiene promotion, and countering misinformation, a community-driven approach especially vital in remote areas with limited formal health services.Gregoire Mateso, National President of the DRC Red Cross, says:“Frontline communities and Red Cross volunteers have once again demonstrated what early action can achieve. However, the cycle of epidemics will continue if there is no long-term investment. It is time to stop retreating and instead strengthen our preparedness based on the lessons learned.”During the outbreak, the DRC Red Cross conducted 118 safe and dignified burials and deployed more than 500 volunteers trained in epidemic control. Risk communication and community engagement activities reached over 236,000 people, and hygiene promotion and decontamination support benefited more than 78,000 people. The Red Cross also provided psychosocial support to 2,500 people, while national vaccination efforts immunized more than 47,500 individuals, demonstrating the crucial impact of local action in protecting communities.Need for stronger preparednessDespite swift containment, the outbreak exposed weaknesses in local health systems, including limited isolation capacity, shortages of protective equipment, and gaps in infection prevention and control. Concurrent cholera and mpox outbreaks further strained resources, while vulnerable groups, especially women, children, and displaced families, faced heightened risks.These gaps underline the urgency of long-term resilience and stronger community-based preparedness. The IFRC is calling on partners and donors to join efforts in scaling up community-based surveillance, strengthen infection prevention and control, reinforce water, sanitation, and hygiene systems, support and train local volunteers, the first responders in remote areas, and expand psychosocial and protection services.More informationTo request an interview, contact: [email protected] Kinshasa:Jean-Michel Ntalemwa: +243 999 842 933In Nairobi:Susan Mbalu: +254 733 827 654In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa: +41 79 708 43 67Scott Craig: +41 76 370 35 75

Limited international support compromises recovery of population affected by Hurricane Melissa in Cuba

Santiago de Cuba/Panama/Geneva, 21 November 2025 - The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has warned that the humanitarian needs of the population affected by Hurricane Melissa in eastern Cuba are growing faster than the international support required to provide short- and medium-term humanitarian assistance.Three weeks after Melissa made landfall in Cuba, data from the Civil Defence and the United Nations System indicate that more than 2.2 million people were affected, mainly in the provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Granma and Holguín. In addition, the loss of more than 150,000 hectares of crops threatens food security, and damage to more than 155,000 homes exposes the population to the dengue, oropouche and chikungunya epidemics declared in the country. In addition, power cuts are limiting the operation of water plants and health services, especially in Santiago de Cuba, where 500,000 people still have no access to electricity."Countless families have lost everything: roofs, mattresses, food, animals, items that are essential for survival with well-being and dignity," said Carlos Pérez Díaz, executive president of the Cuban Red Cross. "From the very first minute, Cuban Red Cross teams have been travelling through the areas most affected by Melissa, distributing aid and offering psychosocial support, but our efforts fall short given the magnitude of the needs we encounter, especially in rural areas and in the coastal area where Melissa made landfall."The first 20 tonnes of aid from the IFRC, which arrived in Cuba by air on 2 November, have already been distributed in full by Cuban Red Cross volunteers. This shipment included kitchen, hygiene and rest kits, blankets, mosquito nets, solar lamps, plastic sheeting and tool kits. These items were delivered to families whose homes were destroyed, elderly people living alone, people with disabilities, and pregnant women or women with children or dependents in their care. "The pre-positioning of humanitarian supplies at our logistics hub in Panama allowed us to dispatch vital aid within the first 72 hours after Hurricane Melissa struck, and the organisational and coordination capacity of the Cuban Red Cross enabled us to distribute it in record time," said Cristian Torres Bermeo, IFRC Deputy Director for the Americas. "We have the experience, operational capacity and local presence necessary to reach the areas most in need, but we require more financial support to reach the thousands of families who still require urgent assistance and, as soon as conditions allow, to move on to the early recovery phase."On 31 October, the IFRC launched an emergency appeal requesting 15 million Swiss francs (18 million USD) to provide two years of emergency assistance, early recovery and long-term resilience support to 100,000 people. Contributions received by the organisation amount to only 16.3% of the required amount, while needs on the island continue to rise.The IFRC's international appeal will remain open for the next 24 months. Governments, businesses, foundations and even individuals can contribute resources that will enable communities to rebuild their homes, protect themselves from mosquito-borne diseases, take care of their mental health, resume productive activities, rely on solar energy to cope with power cuts and prepare for the next hurricane season.The IFRC has a strong track record in implementing humanitarian operations in Cuba. Working hand in hand with the Cuban Red Cross – and its network of more than 35,000 volunteers – and in coordination with public authorities and national and international humanitarian actors, it has responded to dozens of hurricanes and storms, including Ian, Oscar, Rafael, Matthew, Irma and Sandy, always guided by its fundamental principles and with interventions based on needs assessments and dialogue with the affected communities. For further information or interviews, please write to [email protected] or contact In Santiago de CubaSusana Arroyo Barrantes, +507 69993199In PanamaMaría Victoria Langman, +507 65501090In GenevaNora Peter +36 70 953 7709

Ebola in DRC: A race against time to save lives

IFRC appeals for CHF 20 million to stop deadly Ebola outbreak in DRC’s Kasai Province

Kinshasa/Nairobi/Geneva – 22 September 2025 — The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is appealing for 20 million Swiss francs to help contain the first Ebola outbreak to hit the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Kasaï province since 2008, before it spreads further and deepens an already deadly crisis.Ariel Kestens, IFRC Head of Delegation in Kinshasa says: “We’ve just received urgent updates from our volunteers and staff in Bulape, the epicentre of this outbreak. Health facilities are overwhelmed, essential supplies are not available, and the area is without power. Families are deeply anxious, especially as the virus is disproportionately affecting vulnerable people. The situation demands immediate action, every hour counts in our effort to protect lives and prevent further spread.”According to the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Ministry of Health, as of 18 September 2025 the provisional toll stands at 37 confirmed cases and 19 deaths including four health workers. It is concentrated in the Bulape and Mweka health zones, where reaching communities from Kinshasa can take three days by road. Health facilities are severely limited with the main isolation centre having few spaces for patients.The Bulape health zone is reporting the highest number of cases and deaths with most people affected aged 15 years and older. Health facilities are overwhelmed and do not have resources to provide care, with the only treatment centre already at 119% capacity.Volunteers are actively supporting families in Bulape and Mweka, where humanitarian needs remain acute. Health workers are operating under intense pressure, and essential resources, such as clean water and protective equipment, are nearing depletion. In response, efforts to scale up support are underway. However, additional resources are urgently needed to contain the outbreak and safeguard affected communities.The DRC is simultaneously battling Mpox, cholera and measles outbreaks, all while facing an economic and political crisis. These overlapping challenges are straining national resources and limiting response capacity. Without urgent resources, this Ebola resurgence could rapidly spread across already fragile communities.The outbreak disproportionately affects women, children and vulnerable groups. Schools in affected districts have closed, forcing more than 44,000 children out of classrooms, while traditional funerary practices, and stigma, and multiples crises are fuelling the risks of spread, displacement and gender-based violence. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are among the most affected. At least five HCWs have already been infected, with four reported deaths. However, vaccination of frontline health workers has started.Gregoire Mateso, President of the DRC Red Cross says:“Protecting health workers means protecting communities. The DRC needs urgent support, especially in remote and under-resourced areas. This is not just about Kasai – it’s about preventing another regional health crisis.”The Red Cross is already responding but the operation must urgently scale up. Volunteers have carried out safe and dignified burials to stop further spread, reached hundreds with trusted information through faith leaders and door-to-door visits. With health facilities overwhelmed and frontline workers already infected, urgent support is needed to expand vaccination, availability of protective equipment, hygiene measures, and psychosocial support for families.The IFRC emergency appeal for 20 million Swiss francs will support the DRC Red Cross in scaling up its Ebola response, aiming to reach 965,000 people with urgent assistance. The funding will strengthen critical activities such as safe and dignified burials, health worker protection, risk communication and community engagement, hygiene promotion surveillance, and psychosocial support. Already, the DRC Red Cross has reached more than 7,000 people with awareness-raising sessions.The IFRC and DRC Red Cross call on the international community to urgently mobilize resources and support to prevent the outbreak from spiralling further.Note to editors: Audiovisual materials of the emergency response are available for downloadFor more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] DRCJean-Michel Ntalemwa: +243 999 842 933In Nairobi:  Susan Mbalu: +254 733 827 654In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa: +41 79 708 43 67 Scott Craig: +41 76 370 35 75  

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Ebola outbreak 2025

On 4 September 2025, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) declared a new outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Kasai Province. The outbreak has spread to Bulape, Mweka, Mushenge, and Kakenge health zones. Most of those impacted are 15 years and older. With 680,000 people at immediate risk and more than 2 million at extended risk, the DRC Red Cross is on the ground delivering urgent assistance. With your donation, volunteers will carry out lifesaving activities including health and care, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), safe and dignified burials (SDB), and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). Your support can make a difference. Donate now to help the DRC Red Cross protect lives and bring relief to communities in crisis.

World Humanitarian Day: ‘If I can help my mother, I can help my community too’

“It was early 2011. Something strange started happening to our neighbours—they said they were ill and wounds started appearing on their skin.”A nurse from Karangmojo village in Boyolali, Indonesia, Siti Imroatus begins the story that would change her life, and the lives of many in her community. It happened nearly 15 years ago, when a mysterious series of events began to befall her small community rural community.“We knew it was something to do with their cows, which they’d recently slaughtered to eat and sell”.It was this experience, the effect it had on her own family, and the process of solving this mystery that Siti (known to friends and family as “Bu Im”) to join the Indonesian Red Cross (Palang Merah Indonesia). It was also the beginning of a determined, long-time commitment from Bu Im to keep working to ensure this kind of outbreak wouldn’t happen again.On World Humanitarian Day2025 (19 August), we unite with humanitarians around the world under the banner #ActforHumanity to honour the courage of people like Siti, whotake the initiativeto protect others and save lives — even while they themselves are affected by the same challenges.This is Siti’sstoryin her own words.“Local health authorities came to investigate and it turned out to beanthrax, an infectious disease spread through animals which is caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis.“My mother fell sick, too, because she had handled a piece of meat that was apparently infected. She then had wounds on her hands and I immediately took her to the nearest hospital so she could be treated.“I knew I had to act quickly and because when she was treated quickly, she healed faster. I was living elsewhere at the time, but I stayed with my mother and took care of her until she got completely better.“I thought, if I can help my mother, I can help my community too. I wanted to motivate people and give them advice on how to stay healthy so we can avoid another outbreak—of anthrax or of any other disease. So that’s why I became a Red Cross volunteer.“In 2018 I joined the Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme, which we call ‘CP3’. It’s a programme that helps communities like mine in Indonesia to be prepared for and to prevent disease outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics.“When I joined, I was trained inepidemic control andcommunity-based surveillance so I could advise my community on different infectious diseases and report anything unusual.“Communities may not be very well-informed about anthrax. But it is a serious disease which can infect animals and humans, and old people in my community are especially vulnerable.“The other year there was an anthrax outbreak in Yogyakarta and several people died. So I keep educating my village with my fellow volunteers because I want my family to be healthy and I want my community to be healthy.“The best thing about being a volunteer is being useful to my family and the community. I know that if I can detect and report diseases quickly, we will all be safer.”---The activities featured in this article were delivered as part of the multi-country Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3) which ran from 2018-2025. Funded by theU.S. Agency for International Development (USAID),CP3 supported communities, Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and other partners to prepare for, prevent, detect and respond to disease threats.To learn more about anthrax and other infectious diseases,visit the IFRC’s Epidemic Control Toolkit.If you enjoyed this story and would like to learn more, sign up to the IFRC’s Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Newsletter.  For World Humanitarian Day 2025, learn how you can support those who #ActforHumanity.World Humanitarian Day 2025: An urgent call to honor, respect and protect those who #ActforHumanityStand with us to protect humanityHonor the fallen: visit the IFRC In Memoriam pageSupport the Red Family FundMake a donation to the Red Family Fund

Cholera in Côte d'Ivoire: At a bustling waterside hub, Red Cross takes on cholera

When seven people died within just a few days in Vridi Ako in Côte d'Ivoire in May 2025, no one suspected cholera.Many believed the deaths were the result of a curse or fetishistic practices, beliefs that are still deeply rooted in this coastal village in the municipality of Port-Bouet, which sits on a strip land between the Ebrié Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean.“We didn't understand,” says N'Sranna Sagou Hervé, the village chief. "Many of us thought it was spiritual."However, one disturbing detail linked all the deaths: They had suffered from diarrhoea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. These symptoms were alarming enough for the health authorities to launch an investigation. Laboratory tests confirmed what few people had imagined: cholera, a waterborne disease that had not been seen in Côte d'Ivoire for 15 years, was back.And it came back across many parts of the country.As of 3 August, 491 cholera cases and 20 deaths were reported across Cote d’Ivoire. Vridi Ako alone accounted for 198 cases and 7 deaths. The outbreak has since spread to other areas, including Yopougon Est, Sa Sandra (San Pedro) and Jacqueville.In Vridi Ako, most of the inhabitants live in makeshift dwellings, with very limited access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation. It is also a cosmopolitan village of more than 19,000 people who come from across West Africa, including Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Senegal. These are all conditions ripe for the rapid spread of disease across a wider region.A rapid and coordinated responseThe Côte d'Ivoire Red Cross, supported by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and other Movement partners, was among the first to respond. Working closely with the Ministry of Health, WHO, and UNICEF, the Red Cross launched a rapid and multisectoral emergency operation aimed at containing the outbreak.Key actions included mobilizing and training over 125 volunteers, raising awareness in communities, disinfecting high-risk areas, installing handwashing stations, identifying suspected cases, and referring them to health centres for treatment.Community engagement is at the heart of the response. Red Cross Volunteers go door to door, speaking in local languages, explaining what cholera is and how it spreads, and most importantly, how to prevent it.“At first, it wasn’t easy. People were afraid,” says Aichatou Souley, one of the trained volunteers. “They had heard of cholera, but didn’t know how to protect themselves. We had to offer more than information—we had to build trust.”In Vridi Ako, handwashing stations have been installed in key public areas, including the bustling quay where boats ferry hundreds of passengers across the Ebrié Lagoon each day. The risk of contamination is high, but so is the level of vigilance.Each day, Konan Coulibaly and a team of volunteers make sure every passenger washes their hands before boarding or disembarking. Just a few metres away, Amadou Tembaly, another volunteer methodically disinfects the boats with a chlorine solution.“It may seem like a simple task, but it makes a real difference,” Amadou says. “Every boat or motorcycle taxi we clean is one less opportunity for the disease to spread.”Kouadio Amoin, a nurse at the Vridi Ako health centre, underscores the importance of this community-based action. “Without the Red Cross’s rapid intervention, we would have seen many more cases. Their presence truly made a difference.”To support the response, the IFRC allocated 159,915 Swiss francs from its Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF). As the outbreak continues to spread to new areas, the IFRC is now working to triple this amount to help the Red Cross of Côte d’Ivoire scale up its response and address growing needs.Learn moreUnderstanding cholera and the IFRC approach to prevention and containmentHow the IFRC works to prevent epidemics and pandemics

The Gambia: As malaria season begins, a life-saving infusion of medicine

By Moustapha DialloOn a hot and humid Thursday afternoon, the courtyard of The Gambia’s Central Medical Store swarms with people. Despite the oppressive heat, dozens of people gather under a large tent.From time to time, clouds appear before dissipating, while the small puddles left by a light rainfall the day before remind everyone of the onset of the rainy season, a period known to bring a surge in malaria cases.Against this backdrop, the Gambian Red Cross Society (GRCS) officially handed over a vital consignment of anti-malarial medications to the Ministry of Health in support of the upcoming Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) campaign.This life-saving donation is part of the “Accelerating Malaria Elimination in The Gambia” project, funded by the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).“This delivery comes at the right time,” said Lamine Dampha, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health during the handover ceremony. “The rainy season, commonly referred to as ‘malaria season’, has just begun. These medications will allow us to protect tens of thousands of people, especially children under five, who continue to bear the highest burden of malaria, across the country”.Speaking at the handover ceremony, Charles Businge, the IFRC’s regional director for Africa emphasized that these medications come at a crucial time when global funding for malaria is declining.In this context, Ibou Fye Njie, secretary general of the GRCS, says these medicines take on even greater significance.“Delivery of these medicines marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to achieve a malaria-free Gambia, while emphasizing that the project will finance the operational costs for the implementation of four SMC cycles during the 2025 malaria season in Kombo North District,” he said.Supporting a nationwide mosquito nets distribution campaignValued at over USD 108,000 (excluding transport costs estimated at USD 35,000), the medications handover follows a large-scale mosquito net distribution campaign, conducted in partnership with the Senegalese authorities as part of a coordinated cross-border malaria control effort.More than 1.5 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets were distributed free of charge to households across The Gambia.Supporting this nationwide effort, 280 Red Cross volunteers were mobilized across all regions to raise awareness about malaria prevention. They went door-to-door educating families about the proper use of mosquito nets, provided information on where to collect them, and assisted Ministry of Health staff with registering beneficiaries.“I’m very grateful to have received a mosquito net,” said a mother of three from the Central River Region. “This year, I know my children and I will be protected from malaria.”Malaria: a major public health threatMalaria is one of the top ten causes of death in The Gambia, with the entire population of the country at risk of the disease. It also remains a leading cause of childhood mortality and morbidity in The Gambia, where under-five mortality rate remains high at 56 per 1,000 live births.Despite significant progress in recent years, global malaria funding is insufficient to sustain essential services for a growing population and addressing biological and non-biological threats.Speaking on behalf of His Excellency Liu Jin, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to The Gambia, Mr. Zhan Tong, Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy, reaffirmed China’s commitment:“We are confident that, with the strong support of the Chinese government and the international community, we will see tangible progress very soon,” he said.The “Accelerating Malaria Elimination in The Gambia” project, launched in September 2024, will run through September 2026, with a total budget of USD 1,978,879.

Red Cross and Red Crescent network supports the African Union and its Member States' commitment to eliminate cholera by 2030

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), in collaboration with its African National Society members, fully supports the African Union (AU) and its member states in their efforts to eliminate cholera across the continent. Forged during a high-level meeting of AU member states in June, this new commitment centers on strengthening community-based health services and epidemic preparedness, working closely with local communities to achieve lasting solutions.The IFRC commends the leadership and united commitment demonstrated by the Heads of State, Government, and Delegations, who gathered in June under the AU’s framework to advance a strong and coordinated response to the ongoing multi-country cholera outbreaks, which in 2025 are affecting approximately 20 Member States.The IFRC and its African National Society members, fully endorse the priorities outlined in the Call-to-Action to End Cholera and Achieve Elimination by 2030with particular emphasis on:• strengthening national and regional preparedness,• scaling up investments in sustainable water, sanitation and health (WASH) infrastructure,• placing communities and civil society at the heart of cholera elimination agenda.A deep community presenceAs auxiliary partners to public authorities in the humanitarian field, Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies in Africa bring unique value through their deep community presence, trusted local networks, and mandate to complement government action.With operations in all AU Member States, the IFRC and its African National Society members are uniquely positioned to deliver localised, people-centred responses that translate policy commitments into life-saving action.Recognising the cross-cutting impacts of cholera on already strained health systems—the Red Cross Red Crescent Network has scaled up its efforts to prevent, detect, and respond to outbreaks through high-impact, community-driven interventions such as:Community-based Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT): Delivered at the household level via Oral Rehydration Points (ORPs), ensuring timely access to lifesaving care. Emergency water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions: Implemented in affected households and surrounding areas to stop transmission. Support to Oral Cholera Vaccination (OCV) campaigns: Including community mobilization, social mobilization, and logistics assistance. Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE): Embedded across all pillars of response to promote behaviour change, drive surveillance, and enable early action. Cross-border collaboration facilitated to prevent, control and recover from cholera outbreaks at community level in collaboration with local authorities.In addition, the IFRC hosts the Country Support Platform (CSP), the operational arm of the Global Task Force on Cholera Control, which supports AU Member States in developing and implementing National Cholera Plans, accessing technical expertise, and mobilizing domestic and external resources.Aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Continental Framework for Cholera Elimination, IFRC is also investing in multi-hazard anticipatory action to prepare authorities, communities and other concerned stakeholders ahead of Cholera outbreaks.This is done in part through the development of Early Action Protocols, systems that trigger preparatory actions before a crisis hits. Such protocols empower African National Societies to act early by pre-positioning supplies, training volunteers, and accessing forecast-based financing enabling faster, more cost-effective responses before outbreaks escalate.With more than 3.8 million trained volunteers across Africa and a presence in every community, the Red Cross Red Crescent Network is well-positioned to bring life-saving interventions to those most at risk before, during and after outbreaks.Together, we can eliminate CholeraCholera is preventable, and together, we can eliminate it. Our volunteers are trusted members of the communities they serve. Through early action, health education, and emergency interventions, we are proud to contribute to this continental ambition to eliminate cholera and protect lives.Through these efforts, the IFRC and African National Societies reaffirm their unwavering commitment to support AU Member States in achieving national and continental targets for cholera control and elimination.The IFRC is dedicated to working hand-in-hand with the African Union Commission, Africa CDC, Member States, and other partners to build resilient health systems, empower communities, and end cholera as a threat to public health and development across the continent.Together, we can defeat cholera and ensure that no one is left behind.Learn more about the IFRC’s approach to disease prevention:IFRC’s approach to epidemic and pandemic preparednessLearn more about IFRC’s approach to emergency health

Tanzania: Red Cross helps contain deadly Marburg outbreak while preparing communities for future epidemics

When the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak hit parts of Tanzania in early 2025, the Tanzania Red Cross Society (TRCS) sprang into action, leveraging years of epidemic preparedness and support from the IFRC to contain the deadly virus.From emergency response to long-term recovery, the Red Cross volunteers have been working alongside the Ministry of Health to protect the most vulnerable, restore trust, and build a future where communities are better prepared to face health crises.Often fatal, Marburg virus disease is a severe illness similar to Ebola that is characterized by high fever, headaches, and in many cases, internal bleeding.Thanks to the rapid mobilization, the total number of cases was relatively low (a total of 10 cases as of 4th March 2025). However, the fatality rate was 100 per cent – underscoring the urgent nature of a concerted, community wide response.That rapid action was also enabled by a 280,00 Swiss franc allocation from IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund.From training to swift actionAs a first step in its emergency response, TRCS trained 50 community health workers and volunteers in high-risk districts, equipping them epidemic control skills to detect and respond to potential cases.These teams were mobilized across communities, conducting door-to-door visits to identify suspected infections, provide health education, and dispel dangerous myths about the disease.“Our volunteers were the first line of defense,” said a staff member from TRCS. “They not only alerted health authorities to possible cases but also ensured families understood how to protect themselves.”The teams also offered mental health and psychosocial support to those affected, including people in quarantine. Recognizing that outbreaks do not affect everyone equally, TRCS also trained staff and volunteers on protection, gender, and inclusion methods to ensure all parts of the community were fully represented.Volunteers learned to prioritize dignity, access, and safety for all — especially women, children, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups.Battling misinformation with trust and dialogueRumors and misinformation spread as quickly as the virus itself. To counter this, TRCS engaged community leaders, traditional healers, and even schoolchildren in open dialogues. Through meetings, home visits, and public discussions, volunteers addressed rumors and misconceptions about both Marburg Virus and Mpox.“At first, people thought Marburg was a curse,” said one volunteer. “But by listening to their fears and explaining the facts, we built trust—and that saved lives.”Recovery and preventionWith the Ministry of Health declaring the end of the outbreak in March 2025, TRCS shifted focus to recovery. Over 100 new volunteers were trained in Ngara and Muleba districts to reinforce disease prevention, mental health support, and community engagement.In collaboration with its multiple partners, meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has developed a three-month recovery plan.As part of that plan, TRCS continued to deliver epidemic disease awareness in the affected areas, with volunteers and community health workers going house-to-house to educate people about disease prevention, reduce stigmas, and address fears among community members regarding the safety of the health facilities after the recent outbreak.In all, more than 1.5 million people were reached with critical health messages.As Tanzania recovers, the Red Cross remains vigilant—because in the fight against epidemics, preparation today means lives saved tomorrow.A lessons-learned workshop is on the horizon, aiming to strengthen future responses and ensure that past challenges are transformed into opportunities for improvement.Learn more:IFRC’s approach to epidemic and pandemic preparednessIFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund

IFRC and Takeda initiate ‘United Against Dengue’ alliance to combat escalating threat of dengue

Dengue fever, a rapidly escalating public health crisis, casts a long shadow over millions in Asia. With climate change and urbanization fuelling its spread, the figures are stark: with Asia shouldering approximately 70 percent of the global disease burden.In response to this urgent challenge, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC APAC) and Takeda have joined forces in a landmark collaboration: United Against Dengue.This multi-year strategic collaboration is dedicated to advancing the World Health Organizations’s goal of achieving zero preventable dengue deaths by 2030, by championing collective action through community programs."Eliminating dengue in the Asia-Pacific region requires a collective effort," states Dr. Sushma Bhusal, Regional Thematic Lead, Health and Care, Asia Pacific, IFRC. "The response must go beyond the health sector alone."A synergistic approach to a complex problemUnited Against Dengue is designed to catalyze community-led action, empowering individuals and families to protect themselves. This partnership leverages the unique strengths of both organizations."We were drawn to partner with Takeda because of their commitment to global health and their expertise in the scientific and healthcare sector," Dr. Bhusal explains."This partnership allows us to combine IFRC's strong volunteer networks and exceptional community-based expertise with Takeda's scientific expertise, resources, and global network to elevate dengue awareness, advocate for enhanced disease prevention measures, and protect at-risk populations more effectively."Dion Warren, Area Head, India and Southeast Asia, Takeda, underscores the critical nature of the threat and the importance of a synergistic approach to fighting dengue."Factors like climate change and urbanization are fuelling the spread of dengue, which poses a significant public health threat, potentially affecting millions across Asia," he notes."Joining forces with IFRC, we aim to strengthen the foundation of community resilience by advancing disease literacy, enhancing early action capabilities, and empowering local health systems.“United Against Dengueis designed to strengthen and complement existing public and community efforts to combat dengue collectively and ensure that communities are better equipped to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to dengue outbreaks.This collaboration is a call to action, underlining the urgent need for a unified, multi-sectoral action."Three pillars for comprehensive actionThe United Against Dengue collaboration is structured around three strategic pillars, ensuring a holistic approach:The first pillar is Educate, which focuses on building community resilience and readiness through impactful disease education and early preparedness. Efforts include community awareness campaigns, volunteer training using the Epidemic Control for Volunteers (ECV) toolkit, and hygiene promotion through community engagement. Enhanced surveillance systems and early action protocols will also be introduced to guide community responses and improve outcomes.A cornerstone of the Educate pillar is leveraging relatable content to drive community action. Kicking off the United Against Dengueinitiatives is the launch of a themed comic developed by popular cartoonists The Woke Salaryman.The comic is focused on discussing the importance of collaborative efforts between communities to prevent the spread of dengue. It will be translated into different languages and will be shared through IFRC APAC channels for community education and leveraged for community engagement activities in the long run."Relatable educational content is absolutely essential," Dr. Bhusal emphasizes. "Dengue prevention requires a change in behaviour, and that change is far more likely to occur when people understand the risks in a way that connects with their daily lives."Mr. Warren adds, "Leveraging their unique brand of storytelling, the series brings to light the impact of urbanization on community ties in Asia and beyond. The series not only raises awareness about dengue but also underscores the critical role of community collaboration in disease prevention efforts."The second pillar, Advocate,is centered around ensuring the sustainability of preventative measures through policy work and stakeholder engagement. This includes working closely with policymakers, medical societies, and community organizations to support the integration of dengue prevention, management and control into national strategies.Regional and national alignment across public health stakeholders is also prioritized to drive unified action and strengthen health system resilience for long-term impact.The third pillar, Support, focuses on providing care and assistance to communities and individuals affected by dengue.These efforts represent the initial focus of United Against Dengue and are not exhaustive. Additional efforts will be introduced as the initiative continues to respond to evolving community needs and opportunities for greater impact.A unified front for a healthier futureThe escalating global spread of dengue demands a robust, coordinated response. "As the global spread of dengue intensifies, it is evident that a coordinated and strategic approach is essential," says Dr. Bhusal. "By working together – as communities, across the public and private sectors, and as a region – we can pool our resources, share our expertise, and leverage our collective influence to achieve greater impact."The United Against Dengue initiative represents more than a program; it is a commitment that complements existing public health efforts by empowering communities to combat dengue through a multi-pronged approach: disease education, early action protocols, targeted public awareness campaigns, stakeholder engagement, and support for affected individuals and communities.Aimed to enhance dengue awareness and bolster protection efforts, the initiative will be rolled out across Asia and beyond. Additional regional and local programs will be launched to further drive collective action, enhance dengue awareness, and support dengue prevention efforts.Read the full comic strip illustrated by The Woke Salaryman

IFRC and Africa CDC deepen partnership to strengthen health systems and emergency response across Africa

Geneva, 22 May 2025 - On the margins of the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), reinforcing their commitment to protect lives and improve health outcomes across the African continent.The new memorandum builds on an initial agreement signed in August 2021, which enabled both organisations to join forces during the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting risk communication community engagement, community health worker scale-up and vaccine rollout across Africa.The new agreement will enable both organizations to jointly respond more effectively to public health emergencies, strengthen primary healthcare systems, support epidemic and pandemic preparedness, enhance legal preparedness for public health emergencies and scale up community-based health services.“Strong health systems start in communities. This agreement reinforces our shared commitment with Africa CDC to put people at the centre of public health — from epidemic preparedness to everyday care. Together, we will continue to scale up community-led solutions that save lives, build trust, and make health systems more resilient for the future,” said Jagan Chapagain, IFRC Secretary General.“This renewed partnership between Africa CDC and IFRC is a powerful reminder that resilient health systems are built not only in hospitals, but in homes and communities,” said Africa CDC Director General Dr Jean Kaseya. “Together, we are investing in people—our greatest resource—to detect, respond to and recover from health threats across Africa.”The new MoU sets out a framework for joint action, including:Strengthening coordination in humanitarian response and disease outbreaks.Developing joint preparedness and response initiatives, including legal and policy support for public health emergencies.Scaling up the community health workforce across more than a dozen countries.Supporting integrated disease surveillance and early warning systems.Advocating for universal health coverage and stronger, more resilient health systems.Working together, IFRC and Africa CDC will mobilise technical expertise, resources, and regional networks to support national health authorities and frontline responders. The partnership will also promote the integration of routine and emergency health services, enhance cross-border preparedness, and improve access to essential healthcare in hard-to-reach communities.The three-year agreement emphasises mutual support for workforce development, public health institutions, and the implementation of the Africa CDC Strategic Plan (2023–2027), aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and global commitments to health equity and sustainable development.Media contacts:For IFRC: Scott Craig, +41 76 370 35 75For Africa CDC: Margaret Edwin, Director of Communication and Public Information, Email: [email protected]

'These cows are our hope': Stopping a foot and mouth disease outbreak in Indonesia

“The money I get from selling cattle is usually used for daily needs, school fees for my children, and other expenses. Without livestock, there’s nothing else, including my house which would be neglected if the cattle couldn’t be sold.”Meet Najamuddin, a farmer from a small hamlet in South Sulawesi, Indonesia called Tallasa Baru. It’s perched high in the mountains, accessible only by a steep and rocky track from the nearest town of Maros, with lush vegetation and farmland stretching out as far as the eye can see.Najamuddin and his fellow villagers live a peaceful, secluded life in Tallasa Baru, relying largely on agriculture and cattle to make a living. Cows are seen as prized possessions here. Locals buy calves at the market, rear and breed them, then hope to sell them off for a higher price. A large cow can fetch as much as 8 million rupiah (around USD $500) – a life-changing sum of money.So, in late October 2022 when Najamuddin noticed worrying health symptoms in two of his cows, he feared the worst.“My livestock once contracted foot and mouth disease, which I didn’t know about at the time. Saliva was dripping, the cattle were trembling, and their eyes were tearing up. I was worried and so shocked until I reported it to the sub-village head, Irwan. I didn’t know what was happening or whether I needed to call a vet,” he explains.Thankfully, Head of Tallasa Baru, Irwan—who is also an Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) volunteer—was on hand to help. Having recently been trained in the detection and reporting of various human and animal health diseases through the Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3), he knew exactly what to do.What is foot and mouth disease?Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, such as cattle, sheep and pigs. Symptoms include fever, drooling, sores around the mouth and hooves, and lameness. If infected animals aren’t taken care of quickly, they can develop long-term health problems or die—resulting in huge economic losses for their owners.Trained community-based volunteers spring into actionThanks to their training in epidemic control and community-based surveillance, PMI volunteer and Village Head, Irwan, and CP3 Supervisor, Syarif, understood the gravity of the situation. Upon quickly coming to check Najamuddin’s cows’ symptoms for themselves, they alerted the local Animal Health Centre in Maros to a likely outbreak of FMD, triggering a rapid response.“The next day we immediately responded. This is a disease that spreads very quickly so the response must be faster to reduce the incidence of disease. We provided vitamins and mineral supplements, and we continued to respond and make observations to check that the animals there were healthy. Then, several weeks later, vaccination was carried out,” explains Dr Ujistina, Head of Maros Animal Health Centre.PMI volunteers were critical to this FMD outbreak response. They quickly raised awareness throughout Tallasa Baru about the risks of FMD, encouraging people to check for symptoms and isolate their cattle until the situation was under control.Volunteers showed villagers how to build small holding pens to contain their cows for their injections and conducted disinfection activities around the hamlet to prevent further spread of disease. And when the cattle vaccination campaign was arranged, PMI volunteers transported veterinary teams and supplies up the long and bumpy road to the hamlet to make sure everyone arrived safely.Thanks to PMI volunteers’ quick action and support to animal health authorities, the FMD outbreak was swiftly contained in Tallasa Baru. Najamuddin’s cattle were saved and made a full recovery—protecting his income so he can continue to support himself and his family.“I feel proud, and thankful because CP3 has explained this disease, and now I understand it better. Thank God, since CP3 came, since my cattle were vaccinated and injected, they’ve all remained healthy. There haven’t been any more disease outbreaks,” he explains.Helping the community adopt healthier behavioursTeaching the community in Tallasa Baru about FMD and other disease threats, and encouraging them to take steps to reduce their risks, requires patient and sustained engagement from local and trusted PMI volunteers like Irwan.“Through CP3 I’m able to educate the people who perhaps lack understanding about diseases that can infect people and animals. When we started, a lot of the people didn’t care. We had to explain repeatedly about diseases and what would happen if they weren’t addressed, then they started to accept,” he explains.“I have lost cattle before. Nobody should ever have to go through what I’ve been through. Because these cows, they are our hope,” he adds.There is proof that this dedicated engagement is paying off. One Tallasa Baru resident, Mansyur, used to be a vocal critic of vaccines, and would go around the village telling people they would make people’s animals sick. But support from PMI volunteers has made him change his tune.“Previously, we always refused. Don’t vaccinate my cows, we don't want to risk it if it's a poison. Because we didn’t understand that vaccination is good. After CP3 came then we understood that the vaccine is good because without vaccination many cattle would have died by now. Now, we want to give vaccines to our cattle,” says Mansyur.Despite its remote location and access challenges, Tallasa Baru is now safer and healthier thanks to the ongoing presence of trained PMI volunteers. Their constant vigilance makes sure no disease outbreak goes undetected. And by equipping their community with the knowledge to recognize and report diseases—they’re making sure their health is protected, both now and long into the future.--The activities featured in this article were part of the multi-country Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3). Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), CP3 supported communities, Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and other partners to prepare for, prevent, detect and respond to disease threats.If you enjoyed this story and would like to learn more, sign up to the IFRC’s Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Newsletter. 

A simple solution keeping communities in Cameroon hydrated and healthy

One day in July 2023, Rachel and Irene from the Cameroon Red Cross Society were out and about in Bamvele village, Cameroon, running routine health promotion activities as part of the Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3).They’d called a community meeting and were in the middle of sharing important messages about detecting and preventing infectious diseases, when someone caught Rachel’s eye.“We were in the middle of our session when I saw one lady in particular who was doing her washing and listening really closely. When we finished, she approached us to ask us questions. It was at this point she told us about her mother who had been experiencing diarrhoea for two days and who was lying down at home,” she Rachel.The young woman’s name was Najassa. She explained that seeing her mother weak and bedridden for two days had made her extremely worried. But Rachel and Irene reassured her that they could put her mother on the road to recovery using three ingredients she likely already had at home.They proceeded to show Najassa how to prepare something called Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS)—a medically formulated drink used to prevent or treat dehydration caused by diarrhoea or vomiting. ORS works by quickly restoring a person’s fluids and essential minerals and is a vital tool in the fight against diarrhoeal diseases, which remain one of the leading causes of death in low-income countries.Rachel and Irene taught Najassa to mix one litre of drinking water, eight sugar cubes and two to three pinches of salt in a bottle—shaking well to make sure everything was properly combined. They then told her to give the drink to her mother and keep preparing it for her until she felt better.“As soon as I started drinking the solution, I felt my strength come back. My daughter asked me ‘mum, have you drunk all the medicine yet? The Red Cross told me you have to finish it. I’m going to make you some more.’ I finished it all, and by the third day I was no longer suffering from diarrhoea. I trust the Red Cross because the medicine they gave me stopped my diarrhoea, it cured me,” says Amina, Najassa’s mother.Thankfully, Amina made a full recovery. And beyond Amina’s own personal experience, Rachel and Irene have noticed tangible behaviour change within the community in Bamvele when it comes to protecting themselves from and preventing disease outbreaks.“We’ve noticed that now, when people are struck by diarrhoea, they prepare ORS themselves because we’ve shown them how to do it and they are happy. It’s really heartwarming to see,” explains Rachel.Their disease prevention efforts, and those of so many more Cameroon Red Cross staff and volunteers, are also recognized by local health authorities.“The Red Cross plays an important role in supporting our epidemic preparedness and response activities. They’re heavily involved in awareness-raising activities at the community level and provide us with logistical and technical support. The Red Cross and health really go hand in hand,” explains Dr Diane Foe from Cameroon’s Delegation of Public Health in the East region.As for Najassa, she feels the help and health knowledge she received from the Cameroon Red Cross will stay with her for years to come.“If I see someone in my community suffering from this kind of diarrhoea, I'm going to do the same thing I did for my mum. I'll make the solution the Red Cross taught me about. It’s so effective. You can do it at home and it gives you strength so you can get to the hospital.”“Rachel made sure to call me several days later to make sure my mother was okay. She really is an angel for our community. Without the Red Cross, I don’t know where my mother would be right now. So I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”--The activities featured in this article are part of the multi-country  Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3).  Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), CP3 supported communities, Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and other partners to prepare for, prevent, detect and respond to disease threats. If you enjoyed this story and would like to learn more, sign up to the IFRC’s Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Newsletter.  

Protecting communities from epidemics in Kyrgyzstan’s rural north

The Talas region in northern Kyrgyzstan is known for its striking geography, made up of imposing mountains, impressive gorges and wild landscapes. It’s one of the most sparsely populated parts of the country, and people here largely rely on farming and agriculture for their livelihoods.Living and working in close proximity to livestock, many of which are not vaccinated against diseases due to the high costs, puts communities in Talas at an elevated risk of zoonotic diseases—diseases that can pass from animals to humans.In a bid to keep people in Talas safe and healthy, the Red Crescent Society of Kyrgyzstan (RCSK) is working hard to educate communities about different animal and human disease risks and introduce community-based surveillance (CBS) to detect and report potential outbreaks early to enable a rapid response.What is community-based surveillance?Community-based surveillance is the systematic detection and reporting of unusual health events within a community, by community members.It’s important in a rural and mountainous region like Talas, where people often have to travel long distances to access health services. If a disease outbreak were to occur and go undetected in Talas, it has the potential to spread and cause huge damage before health or veterinary authorities even have a chance to respond.Through the Programmatic Partnership with the European Union, the Kyrgyzstan Red Crescent began implementing community-based surveillance in Talas in 2024 with support from IFRC. It’s the first agency in the country to use this approach to contribute to national disease surveillance.“We have a memorandum with the State health and veterinary authorities that helps us implement community-based surveillance (CBS),” explains Gulnura Abdumanapova, Health Coordinator with Kyrgyzstan Red Crescent“We’ve trained 62 Red Crescent volunteers to recognize signs of the five most widely spread diseases in the area. Three diseases in humans: measles, acute respiratory infection and Hepatitis A. And two zoonotic diseases: anthrax and rabies. In addition, volunteers report any unusual animal deaths they detect.”“If volunteers see something unusual whilst out conducting risk communication activities within their communities, they send an SMS alert to their supervisor. Then the case is reported to the nearest medical or veterinary centre, at which point a doctor or veterinarian comes out to investigate. If volunteers don’t notice anything during their regular visits, they also send what’s called a ‘zero report’ via SMS. This confirms that the situation is normal and no risk is detected,” adds Gulnura. Since community-based surveillance was introduced in Talas in June 2024, seven alerts from trained Red Crescent volunteers have so far been escalated to health authorities for investigation, resulting in the confirmation and quick response to five cases of acute respiratory infections, one case of Hepatitis A and one unusual animal death.Volunteers from the community, protecting the communityKyrgyzstan Red Crescent volunteers are well-placed to conduct community-based surveillance in Talas because they come from the communities they serve—meaning they understand the local health context and challenges, are always present, and are trusted by their neighbours and peers.The volunteers trained in community-based surveillance were already doing important work in their communities to raise awareness about different disease risks and the steps people can take to reduce them—such as following proper hygiene measures, immunizing their children, and vaccinating their animals whenever they have the financial means.Now volunteers are also encouraging people to inform them whenever they experience unusual health symptoms or notice anything unusual about their pets’ or livestock’s’ health, so they can check the signs, report via community-based surveillance, and make sure people get help quickly.Keeping kids healthyAs well as introducing community-based surveillance and raising community awareness about infectious diseases, last year Kyrgyzstan Red Crescent also teamed up with local health authorities to run screening activities in Talas to check schoolchildren for signs of two zoonotic parasitic diseases.“The aim of the ultrasound screening program is to find and prevent echinococcosis and alveococcosis, two diseases that can be spread to humans by pets or wild animals. Children are vulnerable because they often play outside with animals without understanding it can be dangerous,” explains Elnura Turdukulova, Field Officer in the Talas Regional Branch of Kyrgyzstan Red Crescent.“We chose to conduct this work in Talas because the region previously experienced a deadly case. The parasites spread in the liver, so doctors check the liver first. One of our checkups resulted in the timely identification of disease in one of the pupils”, continues Elnura. The children who were screened received small presents for their courage during the ultrasound. They also took part in fun educational sessions with staff from Kygyzstan Red Crescent and local health authorities to learn about different disease risks and why they need to be especially careful around animals.--The activities outlined above were made possible thanks to the Programmatic Partnership with the European Union—an innovative, multi-year partnership between the IFRC, member National Societies and the EU to help communities worldwide reduce their risks and be better prepared for disasters and health emergencies.

Ebola outbreak in Uganda: Red Cross providing lifesaving support to communities as response continues

What is the current situation with the Ebola outbreak in Uganda?“On 30 January, Uganda’s Ministry of Health declared the country’s eighth outbreak of Ebola virus following the death of a nurse in the capital, Kampala. Contacts of this index case were traced. Those who tested positive for Ebola were successfully treated and discharged, triggering the countdown to declare the outbreak over. But then another cluster of cases was detected following the death of a young boy on 24 February. The boy’s mother and her newborn baby had also passed away a few weeks earlier, and their deaths are being treated as probable Ebola cases.”“As it stands, 12 Ebola cases have been confirmed, including two confirmed deaths, with an additional two probable cases—across six districts in Uganda: Kampala, Jinja, Kyegegwe, Mbale, Ntoroko and Wakiso.”“Although we have technically begun the second countdown, there remains a lot of uncertainty and the risk that there may still be cases within the community persists. Epidemiologists and surveillance teams are working hard to identify how these cases may have overlapped, as it is concerning that cases have been reported in different areas spread out across the country.”“We are supporting the Ugandan Ministry of Health, which has activated scenario two of its National Response Plan: ‘sustain’. This means there’s been a delay in the detection of cases outside the known contact list and that we must plan for the next 210 days— the period of at least 10 Ebola incubation cycles—rather than just focusing on the short term.”How is this outbreak different from previous Ebola outbreaks the country has faced, and are there any specific challenges?“There are several key differences to this outbreak. Firstly,cases have been reported mainly in cities and densely populated areassuch as Kampala and Wakiso, compared to the 2022 Ebola outbreak which struck the small town of Mubende. This makes contact tracing challenging due to the high population density, the fact that people are moving around a lot – both domestically and potentially internationally. And it increases the risk of transmission because people live in close proximity, sharing public spaces and transport.”“Secondly, the fact that the first case was detected post-mortem in the national referral hospital presents achallenge for the surveillance system. If it had been detected sooner, it would have been easier to conduct contact tracing and minimize the spread.”“Finally, and very importantly,this outbreak came while we are also fighting another epidemic: mpox. We had already been responding to mpox for some time and we now need to integrate both responses. It also means we have to adapt our risk communication efforts within communities, making sure they are aware of both diseases, the signs to look out for, the ways they can stay safe.”“On the positive side, all Ebola cases that have been confirmed and who have received treatment in this outbreak have been able to survive. Whereas there was a high case fatality rate during the last outbreak in 2022, so far we’re seeing a 100% recovery rate when cases are detected in time.”How is the Uganda Red Cross Society supporting the response?“We are doing a lot of different activities in support of the Ministry of Health, complementing their response and filling any gaps. We are involved incase management, supporting with emergency evacuations of suspected cases and referrals through our ambulance system.”“Our volunteers are doing a huge amount ofrisk communication and community engagement to explain the risks of both Ebola and mpox to the population, encouraging them to take preventive measures and report any unusual health symptoms. This includes addressing any rumours and concerns people have—sometimes we have to convince people that Ebola is even real.”“We have alsoactivated trained Safe and Dignified Burials (SDB) teams across the country who are ready to deploy if someone is confirmed to have died from Ebola in the community. These teams are trained to properly engage the community, helping them understand why the burial needs to happen in a certain way to prevent spread of the disease, and reassuring them. Because it’s a difficult time for the community. We have to get their approval.”How has Uganda Red Cross improved its preparedness for epidemics in recent years, and how is this helping with the response now?“The past few years we have really developed the tools, structures, and the technical capacity required to respond to outbreaks on this scale thanks to support from IFRC and our donors. On the human resource side, many of our staff and volunteers have been trained in safe and dignified burials, community-based surveillance, and risk communication and community engagement. These are personnel we have in-house and deploy straight away—we don’t need to wait for outside help to come in. We also already had equipment—vehicles, communication materials, prepositioned personal protective equipment (PPE) that we could use straight away.”“Something really important is that we already had an operational community-based surveillance system, which has been well-tested over many years. Although this isn’t nationwide, which would require significant resources, it has been an important part of our epidemic preparedness efforts in select, high-risk areas of the country. And we are now working to implement CBS in Ebola outbreak areas as part of our response so that volunteers can report suspected cases for rapid response.”“We have also worked closely with the Ministry of Health and other authorities on epidemic preparedness and response in recent years, which means our role is well-understood and we have good coordination systems in place to work together when disease outbreaks strike.”--For the latest updates on Uganda Red Cross Society’s response to Ebola and mpox,follow them on X orvisit the URCS website.You can also click here to donate to the IFRC’s Uganda Ebola outbreak appeal and support their lifesaving work.In recent years, the Uganda Red Cross Society has worked hard to improve its epidemic preparedness and response with support from:TheCommunity Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3), funded by USAIDTheProgrammatic Partnership, funded by the European UnionAnEbola preparedness emergency appeal(2018-2021) and aDisaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) operation(2018-2020)

World Water Day 2025: Angola Red Cross and IFRC bring safe, treated water and hygiene messages to communities hard hit by cholera

Ever since a cholera outbreak in Angola was first confirmed on January 7, 2025, Angola Red Cross volunteers have been at the forefront of the response, helping people avoid exposure to this often deadly water-borne disease. Sometimes, they even brought water into communities in buckets, balanced on top of their heads, to prepare oral hydration solutions or provide people with safe drinking water.The outbreak started in Cacuaco, a suburban area of Luanda Province. which hosts the country’s capital and approximately 1.2 million residents. Since then, the disease has spread to 14 provinces and 57 municipalities, with Luanda reporting the highest number of cases (3,788) .“The oral cholera vaccine is an important tool in the fight against cholera and this is the first time it is being used in Angola, but we always need to combine this with other preventative measures such as water treatment, handwashing with soap and sanitation.”Catarina Laurinda, coordinator of the Angola Red Cross response to the cholera outbreakThe outbreak continues to escalate due to poor sanitation, limited access to clean water, and high population density. In Cuanza Norte Province, the disease is taking lives at an alarming rate. Since the outbreak started, the Angola Red Cross trained 478 volunteers across six provinces (Luanda, Bengo, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Uige, and Zaire) to support the Ministry of Health in raising awareness.Volunteers disseminated information on cholera’s causes, symptoms, prevention measures, and hygiene promotion through door-to-door and mass communication in schools, markets and other public venues.“Our volunteers are visiting households in cholera hotspots, supporting the Ministry of Health in setting up hand-washing facilities in key places, as well as providing safe, treated water and cleaning solutions for households,” explains Catarina Laurinda, who is coordinating the cholera response for the Angola Red Cross.“As part of water disinfection efforts, they have distributed more than 20.000 household water-treatment tablets in affected communities.”Angola Red Cross volunteers also track cholera transmission routes and ensure that people have access to safe water supplies, sanitation and hygiene services. Teams treat people at the community level by administering oral rehydration therapy to people with cholera and refer the most severe cases to hospitals.“When the cholera outbreak started in Cacuacuo, our first work was distributing water treatment tablets to ensure the population had access to safe water to drink,” saysJoana Manuel Joao, an Angola Red Cross volunteer.“This way, sick people could prepare the oral rehydration salts. We then demonstrated how to use the tablets and how to store the water properly so it does not get contaminated.”One of the main ways the volunteers support the cholera vaccination campaign is by building trust and engaging with communities. The volunteers reach out to traditional community leaders and disseminate information about the cholera vaccine, proper hygiene and sanitation practices.“The oral cholera vaccine is an important tool in the fight against cholera and this is the first time it is being used in Angola,”Catarina Laurina adds, “but we always need to combine this with other preventative measures such as water treatment, handwashing with soap and sanitation.”The larger challenge, however, is to ensure that future outbreaks can be avoided.“With the tools we have today and the knowledge we have had for over a century, cholera should not be a public health concern,”says Alexandra Machado, currently in Angola serving as IFRC’s public health coordinator. “We have seen cholera outbreaks becoming annual occurrences during the last years in this region.”“This is why the IFRC is supporting National Societies and communities to be better prepared, so that they are able to prevent cholera and other epidemics at community level.” This preparation and development work is a key part of IFRC’s Ending Cholera Plan, which stresses that water and sanitation services need to be accessible to all – and not just in response to outbreaks or emergencies.“If we really want to put an end to cholera, we need to acknowledge its roots causes,”explains Naemi Heita, who heads the IFRC’s Country Cluster office in Maputo and Angola. “Governments, NGOs, and the private sector must mobilize and increase investments in water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructures, health, and social systems so that they can withstand the fallout from disasters, conflicts, and climate change.”Learn more about the IFRC’s approach to water, sanitation and hygiene:IFRC water, sanitation and hygiene webpageIFRC Water and Sanitationresources for WASH practitionersIFRC and World Water DayRead other World Water Day 2025 storiesWorld Water Day 2025: From glaciers to the kitchen sink, a story of water and resilience from two mountain villages in TajikistanWorld Water Day 2025: Clean water is about safety, health and so much moreWorld Water Day: After the quake, Red Cross brings life-changing water to Vanuatu’s hidden communities

Cholera: Early detection by Cameroon Red Cross volunteer helps limit epidemic

In November 2024, Cameroon Red Cross volunteer, Rouyatou, from Maroua was going about her day when she received an urgent call from one of her neighbours, Habiba. She had suddenly developed stomach pain, acute diarrhea and was vomiting.Rouyatou rushed to Habiba’s house. Thanks to training she’d received from IFRC, Cameroon Red Cross and French Red Cross incommunity-based surveillance, Rouyatou knew how to recognize signs of different diseases and quickly report them using a digital tool on her phone calledNyss.“When I saw Habiba, I had oral rehydration solution (ORS) with me, so I gave her a sachet and referred her to the nearest hospital. I also directly alerted my supervisor that it was a potential case of cholera,” explains Rouyatou.Upon receiving the alert, Rouyatou’s supervisor called her to discuss Habiba’s symptoms and immediately escalated the alert to local health authorities, triggering a rapid response to curb the spread of disease.In the days that followed, Cameroon Red Cross teams formed an integral part of the cholera outbreak response—continuing to alert authorities to potential cases and conducting a wide range of activities to keep the community safe.“We worked hard to raise awareness of the outbreak in the community—visiting people at their homes, mosques, water points, churches and markets and sharing messages over the radio. We told people about the importance of good hygiene and showed them how they could make their water safe to drink. We also conducted disinfection in homes around the neighbourhood,” explains Ali Adoum, President of Maroua 3 District, Cameroon Red Cross.Stronger, faster, closer, saferIn recent years, Cameroon has experienced repeated outbreaks of cholera, with the Far North region being one of the hardest hit areas. But with effective preparedness and response it’s possible to minimize their impacts and stop them in their tracks.Through theProgrammatic Partnership with the European Union, the IFRC and French Red Cross have teamed up to make sure Cameroon Red Cross’ epidemic preparedness capacity isstronger; outbreak response isfaster; health assistance iscloser to communities; and people aresaferfrom disease outbreaks.“The Far North region of Cameroon is prone to cholera epidemics due to communities’ limited access to hygiene and sanitation facilities and the region’s vulnerability to flooding. Through the programme, we thought it would be useful to train community volunteers to recognize and notify potential cholera cases in the community in good time, so that we can take action quickly to bring any epidemics under control,”explains Chimène Kenmeugne Tchuente, Deputy Head of the Epidemic Preparedness pillar of the programme in Cameroon from French Red Cross.In addition to training, the Programmatic Partnership had also provided handwashing equipment and cholera kits—consisting of oral rehydration serums, glucose serums and aquatabs for water disinfection—to local health workers prior to the outbreak, which were able to be quickly used in the response.The epidemic may be over, but preparedness never stopsThe November 2024 cholera outbreak in Maroua was contained within four weeks. Habiba, the first person to contract cholera in the outbreak, and who received support from Rouyatou, made a full recovery.127 cases were ultimately recorded, with two confirmed deaths. While even one death from cholera is a great tragedy, local health authorities report that this epidemic likely would have been far worse, and claimed even more lives, had it not been for the Cameroon Red Cross:“Thanks to the Red Cross, the cholera epidemic that broke out in the district was brought under control by the provision of medicines, logistical support, and the sensitization work by community volunteers in the neighbourhood. I’d like to thank the Red Cross for its support, for its swift and effective action, which really limited the damage in our district,”says Dama Patrice, Head of Maroua 3 District Health Office.Though the cholera epidemic was contained, Cameroon Red Cross volunteers continue regular sensitization efforts to keep people informed about a wide range of disease risks, making sure they know how to stay safe and keeping a close eye out for unusual health events.Rouyatou puts it best:“If we hadn't detected this case, just imagine.... The whole community would be suffering from this disease. I want the best for my community, and above all I want to see my community in good health. So, I am proud to volunteer.”--The activities outlined above were made possible thanks to theProgrammatic Partnership with the European Union—an innovative, multi-year partnership between the IFRC, member National Societies and the EU to help communities worldwide reduce their risks and be better prepared for disasters and health emergencies.

Guinea Red Cross supports rural community to build its own health post to prevent epidemics

Imagine you fell really sick one day and instead of an ambulance coming to get you, or a loved one driving you to the hospital, the only option was for people in your village to physically carry you for hours across difficult terrain to reach the nearest health centre.This used to be the reality for people living in Kabayaba—a small, rural village of around 2,500 people in central Guinea. Located 24 kilometres by road from the nearest town (Tiro) and health centre, a costly journey which becomes nearly impossible in the rainy season when the surrounding rivers rise, the people of Kabayaba had long suffered from a lack of access to health services. This put villagers at a high risk of epidemics, as historically it took a long time to report disease outbreaks and for help to arrive."Previously, when someone fell ill here, we used to carry them on a stretcher to the Tiro health centre. When a woman had to give birth, we would put her on the stretcher, and we'd carry her all the way to Tiro," explains Sékouba Kandé, a resident of Kabayaba village.Through the Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3), local Guinea Red Cross teams engaged the people of Kabayaba in a ‘community diagnostic’ process to identify villagers’ biggest health concerns and find potential solutions. Knowing that women in the community are typically expected to go along with their husband's wishes, volunteers held separate discussions with men, women, and young people so that each group’s needs and ideas could be heard in an equal and balanced way.Villagers unanimously decided they wanted to build their own health post in Kabayaba so they’d no longer need to evacuate sick people and pregnant women to Tiro for medical assistance. Guinea Red Cross teams then supported the community to develop an action plan—identifying the steps they needed to take to fund, build, and staff the health post—and come up with a timeline for the works.Over the course of three years, the Kabayaba community rallied together to build bricks, chop wood, and source all the materials needed to build the health post. People worked in the nearby town, grew crops in the village, and fundraised from the village diaspora to collect the money needed to complete the project.At the same time, the Guinea Red Cross helped the community advocate to local health authorities, who, recognizing the community’s resourcefulness, agreed to assign three medical staff to the health post and fully stock it with medical supplies.Opening its doors in February 2024, the Kabayaba Health Post is now the pride and joy of the community, offering a wide range of health services including check-ups, immunization, maternal and child health, and minor surgery.“Before, to get help for my high blood pressure, my son had to hire a motorbike to take me to Tiro or Faranah. But now, with this health post, I regularly come here on foot. A lot of people now come for a quick consultation because it's close by and doesn't require a lot of money. We thank God and those who built this health post,”says Fèrai Oularé, Kabayaba resident.While the risk of infectious diseases persists in Kabayaba, the presence of the local health post significantly reduces the risk of diseases spreading by ensuring early detection and action of unusual health events.“This health post plays an important role in preventing epidemics. It is close to the community and allows us to treat patients quickly. Our job is to provide initial care or alert our supervisors in the event of an epidemic,” explains Saliou Oulare, Head of the Kabayaba Health Post.Alongside continued support from CP3 volunteers, the Kabayaba health post helps strengthen the health system in Faranah by offering local, timely and high-quality medical services and by improving the community’s health resilience to epidemics."Today, my family and my community benefit from the health post. If someone falls ill, they go to thehealth postfor treatment and then go home. We've said goodbye to our problems," adds Fatoumata Condé from Kabayaba.---The activities featured in this article are part of the multi-countryCommunity Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3).Funded by theU.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), CP3 supports communities, Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and other partners to prepare for, prevent, detect and respond to disease threats.If you enjoyed this story and would like to learn more,sign up to the IFRC’s Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Newsletter.

Early detection and action save young girl from dengue in Indonesia

Single mother, Evi Herawati, from Saruni village in Pandeglang, Indonesia had already suffered unimaginable loss when she discovered her youngest child, Syera, had contracted dengue fever last February.Within the space of a year, Evi had not only lost both of her parents, but her husband passed away unexpectedly, too, leaving her to raise their four children alone. So when little Syera started showing worrying health symptoms—fever, shivering, and a bleeding nose—Evi feared the worst.“When my child got sick, I didn’t know it was dengue fever. When I found out it was dengue, my heart dropped. I felt like my soul left my body. Why does it have to be my daughter? Take me instead,” she explains.Thankfully, help swiftly came in the form of family friend and Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) volunteer, Bu M’Bai.Recognizing the symptoms and the urgency of the situation, Bu M’Bai quickly reported the suspected dengue case to her supervisor, who escalated it to the local health authorities. She and her fellow volunteers then quickly took Syera and Evi on their motorbikes to the nearest health centre, where Syera received the urgent medical assistance she needed to survive.“My daughter was treated for six days. The PMI team always came to visit, they monitored every day. I was very moved by PMI. I was delighted that there is someone who could help, who is always ready to help,” says Evi.Happily, Syera made a full recovery and is back to her normal, bright self—playing with her friends, going to school and helping Evi around the house.What is dengue fever and why is it a public health threat in Indonesia?Dengue fever is a viral disease spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, typically found in countries with tropical and subtropical climates. Symptoms include fever, headache, pains and a rash, and severe dengue can lead to death if not detected and treated quickly.Dengue cases surged across Indonesia in 2024 and there are fears that rising temperatures due to climate change will create more favourable conditions for dengue-carrying mosquitos to replicate and survive longer, risking even more lives across the country.But through the Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3), funded by USAID, the Indonesian Red Cross is supporting communities and partners to reduce dengue risks so stories like Evi and Syera’s can become a thing of the past.A prepared community is a healthy communityCP3 volunteers conduct regular house visits, hold community meetings, and run sessions in schools to educate people about the dangers of dengue, what to do if they notice symptoms, and the steps people can take to stay safe. These include wearing long clothing, applying mosquito repellent, and following the ‘3M program’ to eliminate potential mosquito breeding grounds in the home: draining water containers (‘menguras’), covering water sources (‘menutup’), and recycling items which could collect water (‘mendaur ulang’).Ade Sutisna, Head of Saruni Village, reports seeing real change thanks to this community engagement:“The community here is vulnerable to diseases. But with the presence of CP3, thank God, when community members are ill, they take swift action and the volunteers quickly bring them to the hospital. A few years ago, a lot of people would die here due to dengue fever. Now, with the health promotion and preventive measures from volunteers, the number of cases has reduced.”Promoting a clean environmentTo further reduce dengue risks at the community level and foster community spirit in the fight against dengue, CP3 volunteers run weekly ‘Clean Saturday’ events whereby community members conduct a mass clean-up of their local area. People unite with brooms, dustpans and brushes, binbags and other cleaning equipment to tidy up their community, remove litter, and drain any stagnant water sources. CP3 volunteers also assist with larvae monitoring at these events, distributing a special insecticide powder called Abate which can be safely added to people’s drinking water stores to kill mosquito larvae.Early detection, early action, healthier communitiesUsing a digital community-based surveillance system set up in 2022 called ‘SatuSBM’, CP3 volunteers, like Bu M’bai, are constantly on the lookout for signs of dengue and other unusual health events in their community and can report alerts at the press of a button to their supervisors and local health authorities. Not only does this facilitate a rapid health response and help save lives, like in Syera’s case, the data collected also supports the Indonesian government to monitor dengue cases, identify any hotspots, and take further action at scale.As Dian Handayani, Deputy of Prevention and Disease Control for Pandeglang District Health Office, puts it:“We have dengue endemic districts here in Pandeglang which experience cases throughout the year. We greatly appreciate PMI, we feel like partners. PMI has mobilized the people to be on the lookout for mosquito larvae at home, to help us by reporting cases discovered by the people to our health workers so that we can treat them quickly and appropriately. This can support the eradication of dengue fever.”--The activities featured in this article are part of the Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3).  Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), CP3 supports communities, National Societies and other partners to prepare for, prevent, detect and respond to disease threats.  If you enjoyed this story and would like to learn more, sign up to the IFRC’s Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Newsletter or visit the Indonesian Red Cross Society’s website.