Ebola Crisis in West Africa - Guinea Ebola Treatment Centres - French Red Cross Society

December 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 21 000 cases of Ebola virus in Guinea Liberia and Sierra Leone to date including more than 8 500 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 the French Red Cross Society is helping to reduce and control the spread of the Ebola virus in Guinea by providing support for the launch and management of current and planned Ebola Treatment Centres (ETCs). Project activities include: (1) establishing and supporting the running of ETCs; (2) supporting existing ETCs; (3) developing community sensitization campaigns on EVD prevention and treatment; (4) developing early warning systems; and (5) training of local red cross volunteers in EVD prevention safe and dignified burials contact tracing and disinfection.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased number of Ebola infected patients treated in Guinea; (2) enhanced capacity of the French Red Cross Society to provide treatment to patients in Guinea through its Ebola Treatment Centre; (3) public awareness on EVD raised; and (4) strengthened capacity of local red cross volunteers to implement Ebola interventions. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.