Imagine a place where the alleyways are dark and narrow, and the streets are awash in still rainwater that's been soiled by refuse. As people make their way down the muddy streets, the sight of animals searching for scraps of food amidst the waste is common - almost as common as it is to see children playing or swimming in dirty, contaminated water ponds or holes.
Mabela, one of many communities within Freetown, the capital city of Sierra Leone, is home to 20,000 people and is currently battling one of the most intense cholera outbreaks the country has ever witnessed.
The outbreak of cholera
Lack of proper water and sanitation techniques has left Mabela and many other areas across Sierra Leone exposed to this dangerous disease. This has resulted in more than 11,000 reported cases since January 2012 and as of August, approximately 176 deaths.
With cases and fatalities rising as a result of the disease, on August 16, the Government of Sierra Leone declared cholera a national epidemic.
The role of the Canadian Red Cross
The First Responder Initiative, a three-year program offered by the Canadian Red Cross in partnership with the Government of Canada, has made it possible for the Red Cross to reach out to Sierra Leone's most vulnerable during this time of need to combat the growing epidemic.
By lending support to the Sierra Leone Red Cross in the form of community health and education development, promotion of health issues and needs assessment, the Canadian Red Cross has played a crucial role in strengthening communities throughout the country against the threat of cholera.
"With expertise in public health in Canada, and through international health assignments, I've built up the capacity and skills to help people in public health emergencies like this one," said Dr. David Allison, a regional health officer from Newfoundland who was sent to Sierra Leone by the Canadian Red Cross as part of the First Responder Initiative to help with the cholera epidemic.
How cholera is spread
Sierra Leone and other countries in West Africa are no strangers to cholera, a water-borne disease which strikes in overcrowded communities where sanitation is poor and flooding and water contamination occurs, typically as a result of the rainy season.
Those impacted by cholera can suffer a range of symptoms, including vomiting, gastrointestinal issues and dehydration. Without access to healthcare facilities, it can be fatal.
Make a lasting impact
The cholera epidemic continues to sweep through Sierra Leone, tearing families apart and leaving communities shattered. But if you donate today to the Canadian Red Cross, you can show your support for the organization's emergencies and disasters relief efforts to help the country and make a remarkable difference in the lives of those in need.