OCHA (Office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs) reports that the UN (United Nations) and its humanitarian partners continue to step up their support to the Government in Rwanda as it prepares for Ebola.
Although Rwanda has not reported any confirmed Ebola cases, the country remains at high risk due to its proximity to affected areas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and frequent movement of people across the border.
WHO (World Health Organization) and the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) continue to lead on coordinating readiness efforts.
Front-line health workers have received training on infection prevention and control – as well as surveillance, case management and risk communication – while community outreach activities have delivered Ebola prevention and early detection messages to hundreds of community members and health volunteers.
Across priority border crossings, health facilities and communities, UN agencies and their partners are reinforcing preparedness measures through enhanced screening, traveler monitoring, deployment of surge personnel, provision of protective equipment and infection prevention supplies, and expanded risk communication and community engagement activities.
At the same time, partners are upgrading water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure at border points, health facilities and quarantine sites to strengthen infection prevention measures and ensure readiness in the event of an outbreak. (End)