Ebola Crisis in Guinea - Training and Sensitization - Action Against Hunger 2014

November 2014 - On August 8 2014 the World Health Organization declared the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa an international health emergency. The Ebola outbreak started in Guinea and spread to Liberia and Sierra Leone. There have been over 15 000 cases of Ebola virus in Guinea Liberia and Sierra Leone to date including more than 5 400 deaths. The current outbreak is unprecedented in terms of its scale geographic reach humanitarian impact as well as its social and economic repercussions. The number of cases and deaths surpass all previous Ebola epidemics combined. With DFATD’s support Action Against Hunger seeks to reduce and control the spread of the Ebola virus in Guinea. Project activities include: (1) sensitizing communities on how to prevent Ebola transmission; (2) training medical staff on the management of suspected Ebola cases; (3) training medical staff and community agents on how to identify and trace those who have been in contact with Ebola-confirmed cases; (4) distributing cleaning and disinfection kits to health facilities and communities; and (5) building a roster of water hygiene and sanitation specialists trained on Ebola infection control measures.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased capacity of vulnerable households to prevent Ebola transmission; (2) improved capacity of health staff to safely manage suspected Ebola cases; (3) increased capacity of health staff and community agents to identify and trace those who have been in contact with Ebola-confirmed cases; (4) increased access to water hygiene and sanitation staff trained to work in Ebola treatment centres. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crisis or acute food insecurity.