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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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