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Benin

Benin: Meningitis DREF operation no. MDRBJ001

Attachments

GLIDE no. EP-2008-000027-BEN

The International Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a source of un-earmarked money created by the Federation in 1985 to ensure that immediate financial support is available for Red Cross and Red Crescent response to emergencies. The DREF is a vital part of the International Federation's disaster response system and increases the ability of national societies to respond to disasters.

CHF 50,000 (USD 44,000 or EUR 30,000) is requested from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the national society in delivering immediate assistance to some 1.8 million beneficiaries. Un-earmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged. Summary: The Red Cross of Benin has deployed its team of volunteers in northern Benin to intervene in the meningitis outbreak. The epidemic has so far claimed 29 lives according to the assessment conducted by the Red Cross of Benin. In its usual role of complementing government efforts, the Government of Benin has requested the Red Cross to embark on awareness and mobilization activities for its Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) to prevent the spreading of the disease. The National Society is therefore planning to train and retrain some of its volunteers in the mobilization of the vulnerable communities for immunization and in carrying out health education in these communities.

This operation is expected to be implemented over 3 months, and will therefore be completed by May, 2008; a Final Report will be made available three months after the end of the operation (by August, 2008).

The situation

Again this year, following a warning from the World Health Organization (WHO), meningitis outbreaks are on the increase in West and Central Africa. In the Republic of Benin, 4 out of the 12 counties have recorded cases of meningitis between the months of January and February 2008. The situation is very worrisome as the infection is spreading rapidly. Presently, 289 people have been infected, with 29 deaths. The trend is expected to continue as the meningococcal bacteria thrive mainly during the dry season (January-May). Given this situation, it is paramount that the Benin Red Cross commences early response activities to increase preparedness and prevent further spreading.

Coordination and partnerships

With support from the Federation's West Coast regional office, the Red Cross Society of Benin will be working in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health has given the Benin Red Cross the lead role to sensitize and mobilise the people for vaccination exercises put in place by the government in the affected areas. The government is providing treatment at the local hospitals for referred cases.

For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:

In Benin: Hubert CHABI, Executive Secretary, Red Cross Society of Benin, Porto-Novo; phone: +229 97277975; email: chabihubert@yahoo.fr

In Nigeria: Chinyere Emeka-Anuna, Acting Head of Federation West Coast Regional Office, Lagos; phone: +234 12. 695. 228; Fax: +234. 12. 695.229; email: chinyere.emekaanuna@ifrc.org

In Dakar: Alasan Senghore, Head of Zone, West and Central Africa Zone, phone:+221 869 36 40, Fax:+221 33 820 25 34, email: alasan.senghore@ifrc.org ; Hans Ebbing, Health Coordinator, West and Central Africa Zone, email: hans.ebbing@ifrc.org

In Geneva: Niels Scott, Federation Operations Coordinator (Africa); email: niels.scott@ifrc.org; telephone +41.22.730.4527; fax + 41.22.733.0395