Latest news with #NationalSocieties
Zawya
03-07-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Red Cross and Red Crescent network supports the African Union and its Member States' commitment to eliminate cholera by 2030
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), in collaboration with its African National Society members, fully supports the African Union (AU) and its member states in their efforts to eliminate cholera across the continent. Forged during a high-level meeting of AU member states in June, this new commitment centers on strengthening community-based health services and epidemic preparedness, working closely with local communities to achieve lasting solutions. The IFRC commends the leadership and united commitment demonstrated by the Heads of State, Government, and Delegations, who gathered in June under the AU's framework to advance a strong and coordinated response to the ongoing multi-country cholera outbreaks, which in 2025 are affecting approximately 20 Member States. The IFRC and its African National Society members, fully endorse the priorities outlined in the Call-to-Action to End Cholera and Achieve Elimination by 2030 with particular emphasis on: • strengthening national and regional preparedness, • scaling up investments in sustainable water, sanitation and health (WASH) infrastructure, • placing communities and civil society at the heart of cholera elimination agenda. A deep community presence As auxiliary partners to public authorities in the humanitarian field, Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies in Africa bring unique value through their deep community presence, trusted local networks, and mandate to complement government action. With operations in all AU Member States, the IFRC and its African National Society members are uniquely positioned to deliver localised, people-centred responses that translate policy commitments into life-saving action. Recognising the cross-cutting impacts of cholera on already strained health systems—the Red Cross Red Crescent Network has scaled up its efforts to prevent, detect, and respond to outbreaks through high-impact, community-driven interventions such as: Community-based Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT): Delivered at the household level via Oral Rehydration Points (ORPs), ensuring timely access to lifesaving care. Emergency water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions: Implemented in affected households and surrounding areas to stop transmission. Support to Oral Cholera Vaccination (OCV) campaigns: Including community mobilization, social mobilization, and logistics assistance. Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE): Embedded across all pillars of response to promote behaviour change, drive surveillance, and enable early action. Cross-border collaboration facilitated to prevent, control and recover from cholera outbreaks at community level in collaboration with local authorities. In addition, the IFRC hosts the Country Support Platform (CSP), the operational arm of the Global Task Force on Cholera Control, which supports AU Member States in developing and implementing National Cholera Plans, accessing technical expertise, and mobilizing domestic and external resources. Aligned with the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the Continental Framework for Cholera Elimination, IFRC is also investing in multi-hazard anticipatory action to prepare authorities, communities and other concerned stakeholders ahead of Cholera outbreaks. This is done in part through the development of Early Action Protocols, systems that trigger preparatory actions before a crisis hits. Such protocols empower African National Societies to act early by pre-positioning supplies, training volunteers, and accessing forecast-based financing enabling faster, more cost-effective responses before outbreaks escalate. With more than 3.8 million trained volunteers across Africa and a presence in every community, the Red Cross Red Crescent Network is well-positioned to bring life-saving interventions to those most at risk before, during and after outbreaks. Together, we can eliminate Cholera Cholera is preventable, and together, we can eliminate it. Our volunteers are trusted members of the communities they serve. Through early action, health education, and emergency interventions, we are proud to contribute to this continental ambition to eliminate cholera and protect lives. Through these efforts, the IFRC and African National Societies reaffirm their unwavering commitment to support AU Member States in achieving national and continental targets for cholera control and elimination. The IFRC is dedicated to working hand-in-hand with the African Union Commission, Africa CDC, Member States, and other partners to build resilient health systems, empower communities, and end cholera as a threat to public health and development across the continent. Together, we can defeat cholera and ensure that no one is left behind. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Zawya
11-03-2025
- Health
- Zawya
International Women's Day: In Cameroon's Far North region, mothers' clubs provide a model for building a healthier, more prosperous future
As we mark International Women's Day, we share the story of Cameroon's mothers' clubs, groups of local women trained by the Red Cross to raise awareness about hygiene, maternal health, education and the empowerment of young women and girls. In a region where diseases such as cholera and malaria continue to pose a significant risk to life, mothers' clubs are providing communities with essential information on health and hygiene, while also looking out for signs of potential health problems or outbreaks. "In the past, many women did not understand the importance of vaccination, menstrual hygiene, or prenatal consultations,' says Tchinabi Thérèse, president of the Kodek mothers' club and mother of six children. 'Today, thanks to the training provided by the Red Cross, we know how to explain these topics to our community and convince them to adopt good practices." The work of the mothers' clubs goes beyond issues of health. They work with local parents, for example, to allow young girls to stay in school and they support a wide range of income-generating projects that provide women with their reliable sources of revenue. The projects include a community farm that grows millet and cowpeas, a project in which members produce artisanal oils (sesame, balanites, moringa), a farm that raises sheep and many other initiatives. The activities are supported by something called the Programmatic Partnership, a multi-year partnership between the IFRC, member National Societies and the European Union to help communities worldwide be better prepared for disasters and health emergencies. Supporting safe and healthy communities In Cameroon's Far North, the results are tangible: local health authorities report that more women are now regularly visiting their local health centre, hospital births have increased, and proper hygiene practices are becoming widespread. 'This initiative has helped a great deal in the Kodek health area,' explains Manasse Kouchakbe, midwife and Interim Head of the Kodek Health Centre. 'Mothers' clubs have been very helpful in raising awareness in households and they also help us to identify diseases with epidemic potential in the communities. 'Take malaria – through sensitization, volunteers have increased community members' use of insecticide-treated bed nets. Now, the number of malaria cases has dropped significant.' In emergency health situations, the mothers' clubs also mobilize. "When a child was bitten by a dog, we immediately alerted the Red Cross and advised the mother on the necessary actions,' says Aïssatou Dahirou, president of the Dougoï mothers' club. ' Thanks to this quick intervention, the child received timely medical care." With the support of the Red Cross, these women are not simply recipients of humanitarian aid; they have become public health advocates within their own communities. Promoting equality, education and empowerment Beyond their role in addressing health and hygiene issues, the mothers' clubs are also helping to empower women – particularly young women and girls – to have more control over their future and well-being. One of the major challenges, for example, is the continued practice of early marriage, in which girls are married before they are able to finish school. To help change these practices, the Red Cross and the mothers' clubs are actively working together to change community attitudes and convince families to let girls finish their education. "In the past, girls were married off at 12 or 13 years old,' explains Aïssatou Dahirou, president of the Dougoï mothers' club. 'Today, thanks to awareness efforts, more and more families are allowing their daughters to continue their education." Supported by the Red Cross, the mothers' clubs organize awareness sessions in schools and neighborhoods to encourage parents to keep their daughters in school. Their message: an educated girl can help lift her entire family out of poverty. One of those parents, Soureya, did in fact change her thinking on the issue after visiting with the Kodek mothers' club. "I had to drop out of school in my first year of primary middle class,' she says. 'Today, I want my daughters to go further than I did. Thanks to the Red Cross, I have understood the importance of education, and I do everything I can to keep my kids in school." Supporting women's economic empowerment The Cameroon Red Cross and the mothers' clubs also supporting the economic empowerment of women through a support program for Income-Generating Activities (IGAs), enabling the mothers' clubs to develop local economic initiatives. In Kodek, women cultivate a community farm, growing millet and cowpeas, ensuring a stable source of income. In Dougoï, they have established a production of artisanal oils (sesame, balanites, moringa). They have also launched a sheep farming project, made possible by 600,000 FCFA in funding provided by the Red Cross. "We started with five sheep, and today we have managed to expand our flock. After the Feast of the Sacrifice, we will sell our animals and generate profits," explains Aïssatou Dahirou. However, challenges remain, feeding the animals is costly, and the women still lack sufficient equipment to strengthen their activities. Despite these obstacles, they remain determined to expand their IGAs and ensure their financial autonomy. With Red Cross support, they are not only becoming economically independent but also strengthening their role in decision-making within their households and communities. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
