On behalf of the Vanuatu Red Cross Society, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies would like to thank all partners for their generous contribution to the replenishment of this disaster relief emergency fund (DREF). The total expenditure recorded is CHF 59,063 leaving a balance of CHF 21,847 which will be returned to the DREF.
A. Situation analysis
Description of the disaster
In November 2016, the Vanuatu Ministry of Health (MoH) observed an increase in the reported number of dengue fever cases in the country. Like other Pacific Island countries and territories, Vanuatu is prone to dengue outbreaks. The country has experienced five major outbreaks since 1970, the worst of which occurred in 1989 with over 3,000 admissions and 12 deaths. Since the 1989 outbreak, the government has upgraded its surveillance and control system and developed dengue preparedness plans.
On 30 December 2016, the MoH declared a dengue outbreak and as of 31 May 2017, a total of 2,820 suspected cases had been reported to the MoH during the outbreak period. Of these 641 cases were confirmed positive. In accordance with the request of the MoH and Vanuatu Red Cross Society (VRCS), this DREF operation was supporting the VRCS to focus on the islands of Emae (Shefa province) and Malekula (Malampa province) where the following number of cases were reported and confirmed as at 31 May 2017: (see attachment).