ReliefWeb

This report covers the period 01/January/2009 to 31/December/2009.

In brief

Programme purpose: The Sahel+ National Societies priorities are guided by the Federation's Global Agenda goals and the Framework for Action. In addition, specific National Society plans also take their roots from Strategy 2010, ARCHI 2010 and the Algiers Plan of Action. The Sahel programmes aim at meeting the Federation's Global Agenda Goals, which include to 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, and Red Cross/Red Crescent capacity to address the most urgent situations of vulnerability; and reduce intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion and promote respect for diversity and human dignity.

The Federation's West and Central Africa Zone (WCAZ) DM team that also covers the Sahel is focusing on supporting the Sahel National Societies in disaster risk reduction including adaptation to climate change; early warning system development; preparation for, response to, and reporting on emergencies in a timely and appropriate manner. This will be done through supporting intervention initiatives at community level, and the creation of networks and partnerships to support disaster risk management including food security programmes and interventions based on the objectives of the Algiers Plan of Action.

The Sahel programmes work in health and nutrition and aim to reduce infant mortality, under-five mortality and maternal mortality by increasing immunization coverage particularly on polio eradication, measles and neo-natal tetanus control as well as to promote malaria prevention and control. Malnutrition among children under five, pregnant and breastfeeding women are considered as the consequences of worsening food and sanitation conditions. Interventions will be carried out as health sector initiatives (Global Agenda goal 2). Targeted areas concern the health package including vaccination, promotion of breastfeeding, prevention of malaria with the use of IT Nets, fighting against HIV-AIDS, promotion of best practices of nutrition and hygiene through health education.

The organisational development programme aims to build the capacity of the local communities, the civil society and the Red Cross/Red Crescent staff to address the most urgent vulnerabilities. This is in line with Goal no. 3 of the global agenda