Emergency Plan of Action (EPoA) Sierra Leone: Ebola virus disease preparedness DREF Operation Operation n MDRSL005; Glide n EP-2014-000039- SLE Date of issue: 7 April 2014 Date of disaster: 21 March 2014 Operation manager (responsible for this EPoA): Zakari Issa Operation start date: 6 April 2014 Overall operation budget: CHF 113,217 Point of contact: Constant Kargbo, USG Programmes and Operations Expected timeframe: 3 months (until 6 July) Number of people affected: 3.8 million (6 districts) Number of people to be assisted: 3.8 mill (6 districts) Host National Society presence (n of volunteers, staff, branches): Sierra Leone Red Cross Society Number of volunteers: 120; Number of staff at branch level: 20 Red Cross Red Crescent Movement partners actively involved in the operation: N/A Other partner organizations actively involved in the operation: Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone A. Situation analysis Description of the disaster On 21 March 2014, an outbreak of the ebola virus disease (EVD) was declared in Guinea. To date, a total of 134 cases (suspected and confirmed) and 84 deaths (fatality rate of 63%) have been reported and both caseload and the number of fatalities increase every day. The EVD is highly contagious and symptoms are normally appearing after an incubation period of 2 to 21 days. The epicentre of the outbreak in Guinea is in the southern part of Guinea, near the town of Guéckédou close to the border to Sierra Leone and Liberia. Since 21 March there were widespread rumours of a possible spill over of EVD to Kailahun in Sierra Leone from Gueckedou in Guinea, which is about 54 kilometres across the border. After several consultations through the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society (SLRCS) branch health officer in Kailahun and with other stakeholders like WHO, the Office of National Security (ONS) and the Ministry of Health (MOH), it became apparent that this was not the case. Rather, the village Buedu initially thought to be in Kailahun was proved to be another in Kono district, which is also sharing a border with Guinea. Preliminary investigations came up with the following: That a 14-year-old boy from that village attended a funeral ceremony in Guinea where there is an outbreak of EVD. The Sierra Leonean boy died of haemorrhagic fever across the border in Guinea, but his corpse was brought over to Sierra Leone for burial in Buedu, Kono district. All those who conducted the burial are now under surveillance by the MoH There is high possibility that Sierra Leone could be affected by this disease since Guinea and Liberia have already reported confirmed cases and some deaths. Against this backdrop, the government of Sierra Leone has called for intensive EVD epidemic preparedness campaign from stakeholders including the SLRCS since this is a new phenomenon in the country.
P a g e 2 Summary of the current response Overview of Host National Society The Sierra Leone Red Cross Society is working closely with all stakeholders included in the National Task Force, which has already established 4 subcommittees namely, Surveillance and lab control, case management, coordination and communications. The SLRCS has opted to be in the committee of communications thus enabling the SLRCS to be involved in the areas of sensitization and public awareness raising. SLRCS has a volunteer base strength of 7,422 and is operating in all the 13 districts of the country thus encompassing a nationwide network of SLRCS volunteers. The SLRCS played an important role in the 2012 cholera outbreak where the SLRCS supported the government in clinical case management, social mobilization, and hygiene behaviour change, and an SMS-based public awareness and information system was established. There are plans by SLRCS to complement government s efforts in preventing the outbreak of EVD by raising awareness in the six districts bordering Sierra Leone with Guinea. Overview of Red Cross Red Crescent Movement in country In-country the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement activities are coordinated by SLRCS. IFRC has one delegate in Sierra Leone supporting the SLRCS with cholera preparedness activities, and bilateral partnerships with the British Red Cross, Finnish Red Cross, Icelandic Red Cross and the Japanese Red Cross are in place. Movement Coordination The SLRCS will be responsible for the implementation of activities in the EPoA and supported by IFRC. Overview of non-rcrc actors in country The Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone, UN agencies and other NGOs are conducting continuous assessments and investigations to determine whether cross border infection has spilled the disease over to the Sierra Leonean side. Needs analysis, beneficiary selection, risk assessment and scenario planning The Sierra Leone EVD task force has identified a urgent need to scale up awareness raising and sensitization in high-risk districts, and has requested the SLRCS to provide support in Kailahun, Kono, Koinadugu, Kambia, Western Area Urban and Western Rural. The campaign needs to be focused on schools and other institutions where people gather rather than to establish additional social gatherings for this specific activity. The current campaign strategy involves social mobilization using information, education and communication materials, fliers and house-to-house sensitization by the SLRCS to raise awareness in the areas under surveillance. Risk Assessment Given the epidemic potential of EVD and the devastating impact it can have if not controlled quickly, a heightened alert threshold for action is required. The risk analysis of cases on the border of Sierra Leone and Guinea indicate potential high risk for transmission across the border due to large population moments for market and trade. The risk of transmission and outbreak can be greatly reduced through simple messaging to the commutes and proactive preparedness by authorities and the Red Cross. To protect the volunteers, personal protective equipment will be deployed, with 10 high risk kits prepositioned at headquarters should the outbreak spread. B. Operational strategy and plan Overall objective The risk of EVD outbreak is reduced through dissemination of key prevention messages, and increased response capacity of the SLRCS Proposed strategy The National Society will respond by training 90 volunteers, 15 per branch in the 2 districts sharing borders with Guinea namely Kono, Koinadugu, Kailahun and Bombali, and the 2 districts of Western Area Urban and Western Rural, to be communication relays and Agents of Behavioural change in order to sensitize the population directly living under the threat of a spill over and cross border infection with EVD. Initially the volunteers will be mobilized for orientation of the virus and then a strategic plan will be developed for social mobilization in order to sensitize the locals and the local authorities its transmission, and through awareness
P a g e 3 raising can reduce the risk of infection. The methodology of using non-formal humanitarian education platforms will enhance the outreach and subsequently number of people reached. Non-formal educative methods such community engagement at local authority level and the distribution of information, education and communication materials to the needs of the most vulnerable communities. The National Society also has experience in beneficiary communication methodologies including mobile cinema and community dramas. However, until appropriate materials are available and specific low risk areas are identified, this activity is temporarily postponed. Building on its previous experience in the dissemination of key messages through radio and SMS alerts, this is also included in the outreach planned in the meantime. Operational support services In order for the intervention to meet its objectives, assistance will be needed from the different support services of the NS such as Human resources; IT; Logistics; Administration, Finance; PMER; Communications; Security and Resource mobilization. Human resources Staff members and volunteers from different programs including Disaster Management, Health, Communication and Logistics will be involved in the response operation. The IFRC delegate in-country will be providing technical guidance and an IFRC Regional Disaster Response Team (RDRT) member will be deployed to provide surge capacity for the operational planning and implementation. Logistics and supply chain Communications materials needed for this operation could be printed locally with support from the IFRC. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has been mobilized through the IFRC global logistics services and is currently being air freighted into Freetown. Additional materials needed for the operation will be procured and stored locally. Four vehicles will be hired locally for the day-to-day implementation of the plan of action supported by SLRCS vehicles. Communications NS will provide technical support with reference to the SLRCS communication policy and structure. The SLRCS communications unit will support the operation based on its recent beneficiary communication experience. Security Ideally, local volunteers will be identified and be trained and used for this operation since they are more oriented with the locality and therefore may easily handle arising situations. Due to the highly contagious nature of the disease, personal protective equipment (PPE) will be procured and distributed to volunteers carrying out activities for their safety and protection. Increased security measures for protection of volunteers will be taken following he IFRC guidelines developed for this EVD epidemic. Since panic, fear and uncontrolled information flows can cause some unrest in the country; measures to limit this through the awareness campaign can be integrated upon request from the authorities. Planning, monitoring, evaluation, & reporting (PMER) Monitoring and evaluation will be carried out on a weekly basis by the volunteers with support from the District Disaster Relief Officer to be submitted to the Operations Manager and PMER Officer and a beneficiary satisfaction survey will be carried out at the end of the implementation of activities with technical support from IFRC.
P a g e 4 C. DETAILEDOPERATIONAL PLAN Quality programming / Areas common to all sectors Outcome 1: The immediate risks to the health of affected populations are reduced. Output 1.1 The community-based surveillance in epidemic areas is enhanced Activities planned Month 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Add week / month columns as needed Train 90 volunteers in EVD signs and symptoms, x x prevention measures and referral mechanisms, personal protection. Community awareness raising and hygiene promotion Procure PPE and train volunteers on the use of PPEs Conduct awareness raising campaigns in 200 x x x x communities/villages in 6 targeted districts Outreach and awareness raising campaigns for x x x x x volunteers in communities Conduct weekly radio programme disseminating key x x x x x x x x x x prevention and rumour management messages Disseminate key messages through SMS/ TERA x x x x x x x x x x Distribute IECs for identified target communities x x x x x Outcome 2 management of the operation is informed by a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system Output 2.1 Monitoring information informs revisions of plan of action where appropriate. Activities planned Month 1 2 3 4 5 6 Review of plan of action x Monitor and report on activities carried out Collation of weekly field reports x x x x x
P a g e 5 Budget Annex 1 attached. Contact information For further information specifically related to this operation please contact: IFRC Regional Representation: Daniel Sayi, Regional Representative, West Coast, Abidjan, Côte d Ivoire office phone; +225 66 775 261 ; email: daniel.sayi@ifrc.org IFRC Africa Zone: Daniel Bolaños, Disaster Management Coordinator for Africa; Nairobi; phone: +254 (0)731 067 489; email: daniel.bolanos@ifrc.org IFRC Geneva: Christine South, Operations Support; Geneva; phone: +41 227 304 529; email:christine.south@ifrc.org For Resource Mobilization and Pledges: IFRC West and Central Africa hub: Elisabeth Seck, Resource Mobilization Officer, Dakar; phone:+221 33 869 36 60; mobile: +221 77 450 59 49; email: elisabeth.seck@ifrc.org For Performance and Accountability (planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting): IFRC Zone: Robert Ondrusek, PMER/QA Delegate, Africa phone: +254 731 067 277; email:robert.ondrusek@ifrc.org How we work All IFRC 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 the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (Sphere) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable. The IFRC s vision is to inspire, encourage, facilitate and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies, with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering, and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world. The IFRC s work is guided by Strategy 2020 which puts forward three strategic aims: 1. Save lives, protect livelihoods, and strengthen recovery from disaster and crises. 2. Enable healthy and safe living. 3. Promote social inclusion and a culture of non-violence and peace.
MDRSL005 Sierra Leone EVD preparedness 07/04/2014 Budget Group Appeal Budget CHF Shelter - Relief 0 Shelter - Transitional 0 Construction - Housing 0 Construction - Facilities 0 Construction - Materials 0 Clothing & Textiles 0 Food 0 Seeds & Plants 0 Water, Sanitation & Hygiene 0 Medical & First Aid 0 Teaching Materials 0 Utensils & Tools 0 Other Supplies & Services 0 Emergency Response Units 0 Cash Disbursments 0 Total RELIEF ITEMS, CONSTRUCTION AND SUPPLIES 0 Land & Buildings 0 Vehicles Purchase 0 Computer & Telecom Equipment 0 Office/Household Furniture & Equipment 0 Medical Equipment 0 Other Machinery & Equipment 0 Total LAND, VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT 0 Storage, Warehousing 0 Distribution & Monitoring 0 Transport & Vehicle Costs 13,536 Logistics Services 0 Total LOGISTICS, TRANSPORT AND STORAGE 13,536 International Staff 6,000 National Staff 0 National Society Staff 13,583 Volunteers 12,000 Total PERSONNEL 31,583 Consultants 0 Professional Fees 0 Total CONSULTANTS & PROFESSIONAL FEES 0 Workshops & Training 16,146 Total WORKSHOP & TRAINING 16,146 Travel 4,000 Information & Public Relations 31,042 Office Costs 5,000 Communications 2,500 Financial Charges 2,500 Other General Expenses 0 Shared Support Services Total GENERAL EXPENDITURES 45,042 Programme and Supplementary Services Recovery 6,910 Total INDIRECT COSTS 6,910 TOTAL BUDGET 113,217
MDRSL005 EP-2014-000039-SLE 06 April 2014 Sierra Leone Ebola Outbreak Guinea!\ Conakry Koinadugu Kambia!\ Freetown Sierra Leone Kono Western Area!\ Capitals Kailahun Targeted Areas Liberia 0 50 100 km I The maps used do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies or National Societies concerning the legal status of a territory or of its authorities. Sources: ESRI, DEVINFO, International Federation, MDRSL005.mxd - Map created by DMU/NBO. Reported cases include both suspected and confirmed cases.