Canadian Red Cross


 

horizontal rule


Cholera in Cameroon

 
For the past year, a cholera outbreak has gripped Cameroon.  To date, over 13,000 people have been affected and over 400 have died.

The spread of cholera is facilitated by the extremely dangerous conditions in which people live in all affected areas of the country.  Most of them have no access to drinking water and inadequate sanitation.

The Cameroon Red Cross continues to work around the clock with their sensitization duties.  Supplying clean water, building latrines, equipping schools, and teaching people about healthy hygiene behavior will be a big step towards a country free from cholera.

The Government of Canada has contributed $30,000 to the Red Cross to carry out school sensitization programs in Cameroon.  A Canadian Red Cross delegate, funded through the First Responder Initiative, is in country and has been working around the clock on cholera prevention.  Prevention activities include developing programming and training with local teachers through the use of four modules, which include hand washing and clean water. 

The First Responder Initiative is a partnership between the Government of Canada and the Canadian Red Cross.  This 3-year program ensures the deployment of personnel and medical assistance is done rapidly and efficiently, which will strengthen our capacity and ability to prepare and respond.  Click here to learn more about the program.

Posted:  August 18, 2011