November 06, 2024 — Kampala, Uganda, November 5, 2024 – The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is currently operating in 35 regions. 359 Mpox patients occurredWe are quickly responding to the spread of Mpox in Uganda, where one death has been confirmed. The International Rescue Committee’s response spans 18 high-need districts as part of a broader effort to strengthen pandemic preparedness while improving the health and nutrition of refugees and vulnerable community members. Working with our partner Medical Teams International (MTI), we are pursuing initiatives to reduce the humanitarian impact of disasters in areas affected by recent refugee flows and ongoing healthcare challenges. This response includes awareness-raising activities to identify cases early and prevent further spread of the disease.
Elijah Okeyo, Uganda representative for the International Rescue Committee, said:
“With Mpox cases increasing in the country, it is necessary to pay attention to mechanisms to prevent further spread of the disease. Research on the ground shows that refugee settlements, transit centers, and points of entry still lack response capacity for early detection, isolation, and case management, significantly increasing the risk of transmission and the likelihood of serious health problems.
Over the past two months, with the support of DG-ECHO, the International Rescue Committee has screened more than 400,000 people at multiple health facilities, reception centers and points of entry, and trained approximately 5,000 health workers and community health workers for this emergency response. We have been carrying out activities to respond to the outbreak. “However, more needs to be done to resource the infrastructure, equipment and other related support needed to prevent further transmission and spread among vulnerable populations on the move.”
Activities of the International Rescue Committee:
In Uganda, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) provides humanitarian assistance to refugees and host communities by providing quality, client-focused, inclusive and integrated health, livelihoods, protection and education services that promote sustainability, resilience, peaceful coexistence and partnerships. and development needs. Established in 1998 to respond to the humanitarian crisis in northern Uganda caused by conflict by the Lord’s Resistance Army, the International Rescue Committee has since expanded its work to provide humanitarian services to refugees and vulnerable communities throughout Uganda. .
The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, supporting medical care, safety, education, economic stability, and the promotion of rights for people who have lost their homes due to conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 with the help of Albert Einstein, the International Rescue Committee now serves people in more than 40 countries and 28 U.S. cities to help them survive, take control of their future, and strengthen their communities. For more information, please visit our website and follow the International Rescue Committee on Instagram and YouTube.
