HIGHLIGHTS
Following an observed drop in the number of sick and death alerts to the 117 helpline number since the end of the outbreak on 7 November 2015, the Social Mobilization Pillar, in partnership with the Communication Pillar, has intensified messaging across communities. A revised guide highlighting the continued need to report cases based on new case definition, mandatory swabbing for all deaths and the revised safe and dignified burial standard operating procedure has been prepared and widely disseminated. District Social Mobilization Pillar partners have re-oriented their social mobilizers on the revised messaging. Other frontline workers have also been briefed on the new guidelines and messages by their respective Pillars.
UNICEF and its partner agencies and organizations are continuing the preparations for the establishment of a Rapid Response Team that will be able to quickly address any potential resurgence of Ebola in the country.
UNICEF and its partner agencies and organizations are continuing the preparations for the establishment of a Rapid Response Team that will be able to quickly address any potential resurgence of Ebola in the country.
In Kambia, the verification and vulnerability assessment of Ebola affected children who lost one or both parents is ongoing. 13 children were verified and assessed during the reporting period. This is part of a country-wide exercise aimed at assessing their needs and facilitating their access to services.
Also in Kambia, 217 Village Development Committees (VDC) have been trained on the formation of VDCs, their roles and responsibilities. Out of these, 157 VDCs have begun developing action plans.
The Government of Sierra Leone, through The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) and with support from UNICEF and partners, has launched the Week of Education, which will be held from 6 to 12 December 2015. As part of post-Ebola recovery and the return to normalcy, the objective of this event is to remind the nation on the critical importance of education and the need to provide quality services, including ensuring proper Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) at school facilities.
UNICEF is supporting implementing partners FHM, RODA and CEDA with the decommissioning of Community Care Centers (CCCs). The process is already underway for four CCCs in Tonkolili district and two CCCs in Kono district.
SITUATION IN NUMBERS
As of 9 December 2015
8,704 Confirmed cases of Ebola
3,589 Confirmed deaths from Ebola
1,459 Confirmed cases of infected children under age 18 registered by MSWGCA
8,624 Registered children who lost one or both parents due to Ebola
UNICEF funding needs to December 2015: USD 160 million
UNICEF funding gap: USD 34.9 million3 (22%)