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Cholera outbreaks in Central and West Africa: 2017 Regional Update - Week 8

Countries
DR Congo
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Sources
UNICEF
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Cholera Platform Central and Western Africa

The West and Central Africa Cholera Platform has been establish.ed following the absence of cross-border collaboration and the delayed response to the cholera outbreak In Sierra Leone and Guinea in 2012. The platform Is gathering the main WASH and Health actors involved in the tight against cholera in the region i ncluding but not restricted to ACF, ACTED, ALIMA, ECHO, IFRC, MSF1 OCHA, UNICEF, and WHO.

The platform is supported through regional projects piloted by UNICEF and IFRC and funded by ECHO and OFIO since 2013. Its objective is to Improve cholera control and prevention in the region through the promotion of an integrated and targeted approach known as the Shield and Sword strategy.

Shield and Sword Strategy vs Cholera

The Shield and SWord strategy was developed by UNICEF West Africa Regional Office following the pilot projects implemented In the ORC (2006) and Guinea (2009). It defined as follows ' "The Sword strategy Is an intervention in the epidemic phase, as of the confirmation of the first cases, based on advanced preparation that shortens delay in response time and an improved reactivity lor an early action In affected zones. The shield strategy is characteri·zed by sustainable preventive Water,
Sanitation and Hygiene Interventions outside of epidemic periods In the priority areas defined as being specifically at risk for cholera"'