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Congo

Congo: Appeal No. 1.44/2004, Programm Update No. 2

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In Brief

Appeal No. 01.44/2004; Programme Update no. 2; Period covered: April to September 2004; Appeal coverage: 16.7%; Outstanding needs: CHF 376,495 (USD 316,600 or EUR 243,100).

Appeal target: CHF 451,902 (USD 339,392 or EUR 290,892) Related Emergency or Annual Appeals: Republic of Congo, 2005 Annual Appeal no. 05AA036 -

Programme summary

The Congolese Red Cross carried out its activities as defined in the Annual Appeal. It reinforced volunteers' operational capacities through disaster management training and sanitation activities. It continued efforts for HIV/AIDS prevention and against stigmatization. The Youth Department's participation in the World Youth programme in Barcelona, Spain, created more public awareness on the Congolese Red Cross' involvement in combating HIV/AIDS and Ebola fever. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, it carried out several activities against HIV/AIDS/STI, Ebola and malaria; this reflected the national society's determination to work as an auxiliary to the government.

The national society organized a seminar to enhance its organizational development. This has helped its administrative and financial structures, and improved working relationships between the national society's Governance Committee and the Executive Council.

Context and Operational Development

The socio-political stability in Congo during the past six months have made it possible to organize several international meetings (Sports and Health) in the capital (Brazzaville) and the hosting of the 14th edition of the African Senior Athletics Championship (14-18 July 2004). The Congolese Red Cross provided health coverage during activities to mark the 44th anniversary of Congo independence (13-15 August 2004).

Health and Care

Goal: A reduction is achieved in the disease-related vulnerability of people living in the areas targeted by the programme.

Objective: With the support of the Ministry of Health and other partners, the Congolese Red Cross improves access to community health services in the areas of the country targeted by the project.

Project: HIV/AIDS/STD in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, Dolisie and Owando

Expected Result: HIV transmission is reduced among high-risk groups, namely young people, soldiers, sex workers and long-haul drivers, and care for AIDS sufferers is improved.

Achievements

Participated in the World Youth Festival in Barcelona, Spain (8-18 August), which created public awareness on HIV/AIDS and Ebola. It also highlighted the national society's experience in the fight against the AIDS pandemic and management of the Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever.
Adopted the documents of the anti-measles campaign held at the National Disease Control Department (DLM) in Brazzaville on 16 August 2004, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
Participated in the preparedness assessment meeting of the National Immunisation Days to combat measles and polio held 24 August 2004, presided over by the Ministry of Health and Population.

Project: ARCHI 2010 (fight against Ebola hemorrhagic fever)

Expected Result: Social mobilization activities to combat Ebola hemorrhagic fever are carried out in the four districts exposed to the infection.

Achievements

Conducted a follow up mission in the West Cuvette Division on the activities related to the fight against Ebola (23-28 July).
Conducted a joint mission with the Federation in the West Cuvette Division to assess the activities related to the fight against Ebola (8 July-7 August).

Impact

The visibility of the Congolese Red Cross is strengthened and its experience sharing facilitated through its participation at the World Youth Festival in Barcelona.
The national society's operational capacities are reinforced.
Existing ties with the Ministry of Health are consolidated through its presence at the various meetings organized by the ministry.

Constraints

Establishing a permanent contact between the national headquarters and the West Cuvette Division is made difficult owed to the inaccessibility of the roads in the northern parts of the country.

Disaster Management

Goal: A reduction is achieved in the disaster-related vulnerability of people living in the target districts in the Republic of Congo. Objective: The national society disaster management capacities are improved to provide rapid and effective response in emergencies.

Expected Result: Risk mapping and disaster preparedness activities are carried out in Brazzaville, Central and West Cuvette.

Achievements

Eleven Red Cross volunteers from the Brazzaville local committee ensured full health coverage at the Congolese Red Cross-organized female race in Brazzaville on 27 June to mark the World Olympic Day.
At least 46 Red Cross volunteers from the Brazzaville local committee carried out sanitation activities at the Congolese Red Cross national headquarters.
Three permanent volunteers at the national headquarters rescued a wounded person from the Loukami village - Mbandzandounga district, and had him hospitalized at the Pierre Mobengo Central Military Hospital, Brazzaville.
Thirty-seven Red Cross volunteers from the Brazzaville local committee received DM training from 9 to 18 August 2004.

Impact

Increased population approval and respect for the Red Cross.
Reinforced visibility of the Red Cross.

Constraints: The lack of a well-furnished relief kit hindered the volunteers' emergency relief activities.

Promotion of Humanitarian Values

Goal: Respect for human dignity and more effective solidarity with the vulnerable are assured through the promotion of the Fundamental Principles and humanitarian values.

Objective: The level of discrimination against pygmies, PLWHA, the disabled and rape victims is reduced in the target areas (Pointe-Noire and the regions of Pool and Lékoumou).

Achievements

Publication of bi-monthly news bulletin.


Increased public awareness of its activities through the weekly national radio programme, "Know Everything about the Congolese Red Cross".

Impact : The Congolese Red Cross and its partners' public image is restored through the weekly radio programme and the bimonthly news bulletin "Standard de la Paix".

Constraints

Lack of incentives for the volunteer presenter of the radio programme.
Inadequate materials impede meeting production deadlines and quality of the news bulletin's publication.

For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:
In Congo: Dany Gambicky, Director General, Congolese Red Cross, Brazzaville; Email croixrouge_congobzv@yahoo.fr; Phone 242.688.249.
In Congo: Camara Moualye, Federation Acting Head of Congo Delegation, Brazzaville; Email hod.kinshasdel@wireless.ifrc.org; Phone 243.81.884.5582 or 242.28.50.07.
In Geneva: Christophe Grospierre, Federation Regional Officer for West and Central Africa; Africa Dept.; Email christophe.grospierre@ifrc.org; Phone 41.22.730.43.13; Fax 41.22.733.03.95

This Programme Update reflects activities to be implemented over a one-year period. This forms part of, and is based on, longer-term, multi-year planning.

All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable. For support to or for further information concerning Federation programmes or operations in this or other countries, or for a full description of the national society profile, please access the Federation's website at http://www.ifrc.org

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