Red Cross in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone Community Based Health Care Programme

Autumn 2009 Update

Working for the Red Cross

A first report of activity demonstrates just how important this project is to the people of Sierra Leone. The key points are:

• The CBH programme helps villages prevent Lassa Fever through simple, effective, low-cost interventions;
• Particular focus is given to HIV and AIDS, water and sanitation, hygiene promotion and public health in emergencies, as well as Lassa Fever;
• Staff and volunteers conduct home visits, peer education, community mobilisation, immunisation campaigns and construction of water and sanitation facilities; Mother and Child Health is also a key area;
• The concept of ‘community mobilisation’ is central to the success of Red Cross health projects. Red Cross volunteers help establish community groups who take responsibility for sharing knowledge and implementing changes in their villages. This ownership of the work by the communities ensures sustainability of the projects.

Kamboma village in the Kenema District is already seeing the benefits of Red Cross education about Lassa Fever

“One night everyone in the village was screaming and crying. One of the community members was really ill and there was no transportation to take them to the hospital, which is far away from here. We sent someone on foot to send a message that there is a serious problem here. Thank God the message reached them and they reacted,” said an Elder in the village. “Questions then come of what we do in respect of this outbreak. Some people are in serious pain. Some passed away. We thought of the food we are eating and the water we are drinking. Then someone from the Red Cross come to educate us.”

Red Cross volunteers have visited Kamboma many times to teach the local people about Lassa Fever and how to prevent it spreading.

Download the full report of current activities across Sierra Leone.

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