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Timor-Leste: Dengue Outbreak DREF MDRTP003 final report

Countries
Timor-Leste
Sources
IFRC
Publication date
Origin
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Period covered by this update: from 24 January to 30 April 2014.

Summary: The IFRC allocated a total of CHF 32,204 from the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) on 24 January, 2014 to support the Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste (CVTL) in delivering a dengue outbreak response in Dili district. CVTL trained a total of 50 volunteers in dengue prevention; the one day training conducted in two rounds used the Epidemic Control for Volunteers Manual. The IFRC health-DRR delegate co-facilitated the training with representatives from WHO and Ministry of Health. A different group of volunteers carried out baseline and end-line survey to compare community knowledge and pre and post intervention. Comparing the baseline and end line, households were able to improve their knowledge of dengue fever. . In the original plan, CVTL planned to cover two target districts; but to expand the coverage of dengue messages the MoH has requested CVTL to cover and additional two districts. Thus, CVTL ultimately covered a total of four districts.

To deliver dengue prevention messages, CVTL volunteers conducted household visits in two target sub districts. During the visits, the volunteer shared basic knowledge on dengue and how to prevent it. They also advised community members to immediately refer people with dengue-like symptoms to the hospital or nearest health facility. Some volunteers found suspected dengue cases in the houses they visited and reported those to the District Health Office for follow up action. CVTL also carried out joint campaigns with the Ministry of Health; CVTL volunteers shared prevention knowledge whilst MoH volunteers distributed abate pills. By the end of the operation, the volunteers successfully reached a total of 45,013 beneficiaries (female: 22,363, male: 22,650). Number of household visited was 6,881.

Total brochures distributed was 5,831 and total abate distributed was 2,345.

Beside the collaboration with MoH, CVTL also conducted a joint cleaning campaign with a total of 500 students from universities in Dili. Some cleaning tools as well as Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials such as banners and brochures were procured to support the operation.

This operation was implemented for three months, and completed by 23 April 2014. The balance fund of CHF 303 will be returned to the DREF pot.