DAR ES SALAAM, Nov 22 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — THE European Union (EU) has allocated 230m/- equivalent to 100,000 euros in its humanitarian funding to help Tanzanians to take anticipatory action against the spread of Ebola disease in the country.
Such a move follows the recent outbreak of Ebola Viral Disease in neighbouring Uganda which has reported 157 confirmed cases for the Virus-Sudan strain, with up to 74 deaths in over a week ago.
Since, Uganda and Tanzania share several points of entry, with many people conducting economic and leisure activities without any movement restrictions, therefore early alert is crucial in protecting and containing spread of the disease into the country.
A statement issued by the EU over the weekend indicated that the funding will support the Tanzanian Red Cross Society in providing much-needed training and support to the country in preparedness for the Ebola threat in five high-risk regions of Mara, Kagera, Mwanza, Geita and Kigoma.
“Tanzania is one of the risk countries prioritized by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to enhance preparedness and operational readiness based on her proximity to the outbreak area, strong social and economic ties with Uganda as well as the country’s capacity to manage an Ebola outbreak,” The statement noted.
As such, this project is designed to prevent cross border transmission and ensure the country is prepared to respond in case of detection of Ebola in the country.
In line to this, the Tanzanian Red Cross will be equipped to conduct awareness-raising sessions to communities at risk, especially in the identified regions, which share a border with Uganda
Also, volunteers will be trained by the Red Cross to conduct community-based surveillance for early detection of Ebola, case management and eventual referrals of positive cases to health centres.
In countering the spread of myths, rumours and disinformation on Ebola, the Red Cross Society will run community communication campaigns to raise the public’s and health workers’ awareness on the risks of the Ebola disease, how to prevent it and what to do in case of infection.
“The communication outreach activities will also target local and religious leaders, training them to understand and not fear Ebola disease and to leverage their influence in communities,” said the statement citing that the communication activities will also include awareness messages broadcast on local radio stations as well the printing and distribution of flyers and posters.
The EU funding to the Tanzania Red Cross Society will also be used for training on safe and dignified burials and to purchase burial and training kits.
The funding will also procure chlorine and soap for hand washing at entry points at health centres in the targeted regions. The Red Cross Society will also organise training sessions in refugee camps in the country.
This is a Forecast-Based Early action, and the funding is part of the EU’s overall contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Beginning in November, this project will run for four months, targeting over 7,840,000 people in the five target regions. — NNN-DAILYNEWS
