Re: Nepal Diarrhoea/Cholera 2010 : 47 fatalities
Re: Nepal Diarrhoea/Cholera 2010 : 47 fatalities
Nepal: Potential diarrhoea outbreak (MDRNP004) Operations update n?3 - 10 August 2010
Source: International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
Date: 10 Aug 2010
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Period covered by this Operation Update: 11 June 2010 to 28 July 2010.
Appeal target (current): CHF 738,960 (USD 664,175 or EUR 527,232).
Appeal coverage: To date, the appeal has received cash contributions of 21 per cent, while those in the pipeline brings the coverage to approximately 30 percent.
Funds are urgently needed to support the Nepal Red Cross Society operation in reducing the risk of a diarrhoea outbreak in the vulnerable districts of Nepal.
Appeal history:
- This Emergency Appeal was launched on 13 May 2010 seeking CHF 738,960 (USD 664,175 or EUR 527,232) in cash, kind, or services to support the Nepal Red Cross Society to assist 189,000 beneficiaries for nine months in seven districts of Jajarkot, Rukum, Achham, Dadeldhura, Bajura, Baitadi and Bajhang.
- CHF 200,000 (USD 179,855 or EUR 142,718) was allocated from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support this operation.
Summary:
The urgency to reach people affected by diarrhoea in the mid- and far-western remote districts of Nepal has intensified, following the onset of monsoon. Over the past weeks, the number of deaths has risen from 28 to 43, with many of these occurring within the past week. Over 1,700 cases have been officially reported nationwide across 18 districts, and among those worst affected are children and the elderly. Many people in remote areas are not seeking treatment at health posts but they stay at home. Additionally, some communities remain isolated by the recent floods and landslides, many with reduced-access to safe drinking water. Thus the actual number of cases across the country is feared to be higher.
Nine people have died in Dang district over the past two weeks. Likewise, an outbreak of diarrhoea in Banke district claimed six lives, with several hundred people requiring medical treatment in all 17 wards of the district capital Nepalganj. Of three samples tested so far, one has been confirmed with Vibrio Cholera.
The government's Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) of the Department of Health Services has issued instructions to all district health offices to be well prepared for further outbreaks and has been leading the response activities in coordination with district committees as well as the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) cluster, which includes the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS).
In the seven districts covered by this appeal (Achham, Baitadi, Bajhang, Bajura, Dadeldhura, Jajarkot and Rukum),
NRCS has mobilised a WASH coordinator for each district and deployed more than 240 trained volunteers and WASH mobilizers to disseminate knowledge of safe hygiene practices in the community through door to door visits, distribution of information, education, communication (IEC) materials and health education. These activities are being carried in 70 of the most vulnerable village development committees (VDC) in the selected districts.
During the reporting period, the operation has significantly scaled up, with the following key activities undertaken:
- A three-day "WASH in Emergency" training was conducted for 21 participants, including WASH coordinators, district health focal persons from government and governance volunteers from the NRCS district chapters of the seven operation districts. The training was held from 8-10 June in Nepalgunj, Banke.
- Diarrohea prevention kits (containing oral rehydration solution, chlorine solution/water guard and soap), IEC materials (brochure and flex) and volunteer visibility material (T-shirts and caps) were procured and dispatched to all the operational districts.
- A baseline survey has been completed in all the operational districts. For this purpose, NRCS volunteers were oriented together with other local volunteers and mobilized for door to door visits.
- NRCS district chapters in each of the operational districts have provided orientations on the operation's response and prevention strategy to concerned stakeholders (including representatives from district health offices, district disaster relief committees, district drinking water and sanitation offices).
- A WASH coordination committee has been formed in each of the selected VDCs comprising 11-15 members, including representatives of different political parties, district health office, VDC secretary, school teachers, female community health volunteers and VDC WASH coordinators. Each committee is responsible for coordinating other stakeholders and providing guidance to staff and volunteers for the planning and implementation of the proposed activities in the selected VDCs.
- A detailed plan of action for the next five weeks of the operation has been developed (up to end of August), which takes into account the current level of funds available. Similarly, plans have been finalized for monitoring and evaluation and contingency plan for increasing rains.
- The district chapters in the operational districts have been conducting a two-day WASH training for the volunteers to empower them with knowledge of environment, health and hygiene promotion.
In the areas where NRCS has been operating, the numbers diarrhoea cases have reduced and there have been no further deaths reported. However, considering the high possibility of further outbreaks due to the late appearance of the monsoon this year, there is an urgent need to scale up these efforts to reduce the risk of potential outbreaks.
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