Niger: Meningitis DREF operation n MDRNE004 GLIDE n EP-2009-000066-NER 28 August 2009 The International Federation s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a source of un-earmarked money created by the Federation in 1985 to ensure that immediate financial support is available for Red Cross Red Crescent response to emergencies. The DREF is a vital part of the International Federation s disaster response system and increases the ability of National Societies to respond to disasters. Summary: CHF 68,828 was allocated from the Federation s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) in March, 2009 to support the National Society in delivering assistance to some 3,960,000 beneficiaries, or to replenish disaster preparedness stocks. Since the first week of 2009, a meningitis outbreak has affected Niger. Some 3,440 cases were recorded by the 10 th week of 2009, with 139 deaths (a lethality of 4%). Over the same period in 2008, the country has registered 366 cases with 36 deaths (a lethality of 10.1%). To support the government s efforts, the Niger Red Cross (NRC) proposed to conduct awareness and health education activities to help detect cases and then report them to health organizations. This intervention was planned to help the Ministry of Health organize a vaccination campaign in areas of high prevalence. This response to the meningitis outbreak in Niger involved a total of 660 volunteers and 66 supervisors who were able to reach more than 5 million people for the period of the intervention. In total, more than 562,196 people sensitized by the Red Cross volunteers have benefitted directly from the interventions, and a further 3,961,554 have benefited indirectly from the NRCS actions in the targeted locations. The government of Niger undertook vaccination campaigns in epidemic areas with the support of partners such as MSF Switzerland, MSF Belgium, Save the children NGO, and thus a proper coordination of activities has been achieved. The major donors to the DREF are the Irish, Italian, Netherlands and Norwegian governments and ECHO. Details of all donors can be found on: http://www.ifrc.org/what/disasters/responding/drs/tools/dref/donors.asp <click here for the final financial report, or here to view contact details> The situation A meningitis epidemic occurred in Niger since the first week of 2009, with 3,440 cases recorded by the 10 th week, with 139 deaths, a lethality rate of 4%. At the same period in 2008, the country had registered 366 cases with 36 deaths, a lethality of 10.1%.(Source: Branch of health surveillance and response to epidemics) The south of the country is most affected, provoking concerns that the outbreak could explode in the south-
west of the country, particularly given the situation in Burkina Faso where the disease has been recorded with a fatality rate of 14.56% (please refer to the separate DREF operation implemented in Burkina Faso by the National Society, with Federation support. Red Cross and Red Crescent action To support the Government efforts the Niger Red Cross (NRC) proposed conducting awareness and health education activities. Achievements against objectives Emergency health Objective: To contribute to the reduction of mortality and morbidity due to meningitis in Niger. Specific objectives: Organize social mobilization and sensitization campaign through the local Red Cross committees; Organize early identification and referral cases to health centres; Disseminate key messages on meningitis prevention and care, and referral cases. Expected results Activities planned Some 660 volunteers, 66 supervisors are well trained, briefed, and motivated to reach the most affected people. They are capable to provide life saving support to meningitis victims; Hygiene and health education, early case detection and referral, and sensitization have contributed to reducing the number of persons affected; Hygiene and health education, and sensitization have led to long-term behaviour change preventing and reducing the impact of future outbreaks; The public has come to know more about the role of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement; NRCS visibility has increased. Training of 180 new volunteers and short briefing of 480 volunteers already trained; One day debriefing for supervisors; Delivery of key messages on transmission and prevention through door-to-door strategy visits; Community mobilization and sensitization with focus group discussions in public places; Broadcasting campaign through rural radio stations; Active case finding and referral to health structures. Preparation for the implementation of activities: Correspondence sent to the Ministry of Health, the regional health directorates, sections and sub sections of the Niger Red Cross for greater collaboration. Making contact with local authorities for information and seek their contribution to the project implementation. Availability of funds for the activities of the regions. Purchase of didactic materials. Production of tee-shirts. Recruitment of volunteers. Establishment of mission statements for supervision. Preparation of vehicles for supervision. Training of new volunteers and briefing of former ones as well as supervisors: training sessions for volunteers in the three towns of Tahoua began as a prelude to the social mobilization on meningitis. Three training sessions were held simultaneously on 12 April 2009 in the Tahoua region (specifically the departments of Keita, Bouza and Illéla). These communities have not received training on meningitis in the past like other localities. These training sessions for volunteers from the Red Cross are preceded by the selection of participants.
The objectives of this training were: Provide knowledge to volunteers on meningitis. Increase knowledge of volunteers on the techniques of advocacy and social mobilization. initiate the volunteers to the methods of leadership and interpersonal communication. Implement the knowledge gained on the ground. The training lasted 24 hours, with an emphasis placed on meningitis. In total, 180 new volunteers were trained for their intervention. Six (6) trainers, who came from the Regional Public Health (PRSPs) and from the health districts, have provided training sessions. There were two local trainers for each district. The theme of communication for changes in behaviours (CCB) was the last item of this training. The trainers stressed the criteria of good communication and behaviour that should be avoided. The training sessions were marked by debates and constructive exchanges, and participants expressed satisfaction and a commitment to use their experience and knowledge gained to assist the health services in their fight to drive polio out of the country. In total 660 volunteers and 66 supervisors are now prepared to intervene on behalf of the Niger Red Cross. Social mobilization and community awareness: in Maradi, Zinder, Tahoua and Dosso, volunteers were divided into groups of 10 at the commune level and in pairs in neighbourhoods, hamlets, villages, in order to deliver awareness messages in the households instead of in public places where focus groups were organized. Throughout the duration of the operation, volunteers used the door to door method to convey messages to raise awareness of meningitis. These messages are related to the signs of suspicion of the disease, the mechanisms of transmission and means of prevention. The volunteers have also actively sought suspected Meningitis for their report to the health centres. The dissemination of messages through community radios: the national press has also played a crucial and significant role in the sensitizing campaign. Over a dozen radio stations were used as relays to transmit messages to people. Supervision of activities: the following two primary types of supervision were conducted: Regional: In total 66 volunteers have provided close supervision. The role of regional supervisors was to ensure effective coordination, the tasks of dispatching teams and data reporting. This supervision, which lasted as long as the advocacy efforts, has allowed following the volunteers step by step. Supervision is provided by the Red Cross and the health districts through their local representatives. National: Two headquarters teams ensured this activity one team on the Niamey, Maradi, Zinder and Niamey axis; a second team on the Niamey, Dosso, Tahoua and Niamey axis. Domestic supervision ensured the effective implementation of activities. More than 4 000kms were covered on both axis to assess visually active volunteers in the towns, villages, hamlets and neighbourhoods in the targeted regions. Courtesy visits to the regional, health and traditional authorities. These visits helped to explain to the authorities the activity that the Red Cross is leading, thereby ensuring their support. Some village leaders helped the National Society through their traditional Guards "Dogari" to make it easier for the volunteers to access family compounds. Impact: 180 new volunteers trained. 660 volunteers mobilized. 66 regional supervisors mobilized. Around ten community radio mobilized for 5 days. Over 562,196 people directly sensitized by the volunteers with the door-to-door awareness campaign, with more than 106,145 family concessions visited. Over 5,450 villages and hamlets visited. A total of 3,961,554 people were indirectly sensitized through community radio messages in the 4 regions scheduled. This number exceeded the objective of the operation which was to sensitize over 3,960,000 people, which is 88.86% of the total population of the intervention area. Improved visibility of the CRN among the communities in their areas of intervention. Main features of the operation:
Effective implementation of programmed activities (briefing meetings, awareness, training of volunteer). Provision of funds in time. Effective Supervision of the various localities. Strong involvement of the section and subsection of the Niger Red Cross. Strong involvement of health authorities. Involvement of the customary authorities (Matameye). Strong public support. Constraints: The transport of supervisors and volunteers has been a problem, particularly in hard to access areas. How we work All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's) in Disaster Relief and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (Sphere) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable. The International Federation s activities are aligned with its Global Agenda, which sets out four broad goals to meet the Federation's mission to "improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity". Global Agenda Goals: Reduce the numbers of deaths, injuries and impact from disasters. Reduce the number of deaths, illnesses and impact from diseases and public health emergencies. Increase local community, civil society and Red Cross Red Crescent capacity to address the most urgent situations of vulnerability. Reduce intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion and promote respect for diversity and human dignity. Contact information For further information specifically related to this operation please contact: In Niamey: Aly Bandiaré, President, Red Cross Society of Niger, Niamey; email: crniger@intnet.ne; phone: (227).73.30.37, Fax : (227) 73.24.61 In Dakar: Alasan Senghore, Federation Head of West and Central Africa Zone Office, Senegal, email: alasan.senghore@ifrc.org, phone: (221) 33.869.3641, fax: (221).33.820.2534. <final financial report below; click here to return to the title page>
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies MDRNE004 - Niger - Meningitis Interim Financial Report I. Consolidated Response to Appeal Selected Parameters Reporting Timeframe 2009/3-2009/6 Budget Timeframe 2009/3-2009/5 Appeal MDRNE004 Budget APPEAL Goal 4: Principles and Values All figures are in Swiss Francs (CHF) A. Budget 68,828 68,828 B. Opening Balance 0 0 Income Other Income Voluntary Income 66,731 66,731 C5. Other Income 66,731 66,731 C. Total Income = SUM(C1..C5) 66,731 66,731 D. Total Funding = B +C 66,731 66,731 Appeal Coverage 97% 97% II. Balance of Funds Goal 4: Principles and Values B. Opening Balance 0 0 C. Income 66,731 66,731 E. Expenditure -66,731-66,731 F. Closing Balance = (B + C + E) 0 0 III. Budget Analysis / Breakdown of Expenditure Account Groups Budget Expenditure Goal 4: Principles and Values Variance A B A - B BUDGET (C) 68,828 68,828 Transport & Storage Transport & Vehicle Costs 3,301 3,301 Total Transport & Storage 3,301 3,301 Personnel National Society Staff 48,523 48,523 Total Personnel 48,523 48,523 Workshops & Training Workshops & Training 2,041 61,172 61,172-59,131 Total Workshops & Training 2,041 61,172 61,172-59,131 General Expenditure Travel 2,000 2,000 Information & Public Relation 6,608 6,608 Office Costs 1,071 1,071 Communications 811 811 Financial Charges 1,221 1,221-1,221 Total General Expenditure 10,490 1,221 1,221 9,269 Programme Support Program Support 4,474 4,337 4,337 136 Total Programme Support 4,474 4,337 4,337 136 EXPENDITURE (D) 68,828 66,731 66,731 2,098 VARIANCE (C - D) 2,098 2,098 Prepared on 27/Aug/2009 Page 1 of 1