CERF gives $1.7 million in response to meningitis in Burkina Faso

7 June 2012 : Since 1 January 2012, an outbreak of meningitis has been reported in 42 districts in 10 African countries, and contributed to some 11,000 cases, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Countries affected include Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Central African Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria and Sudan. Burkina Faso is the most adversely affected by the outbreak, with some 5,300 suspected cases, and 553 deaths attributed to the disease.

In response, the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has given US$1.7 million to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to ensure that 400,000 children aged 2-14 are immunised and protected against meningitis, as they are the most affected group.

Working closely with the national Ministry of Health and WHO, UNICEFwill purchase and provide vaccines and immunisation consumables. UNICEF in collaboration with partners will also support community awareness-raising campaigns on meningitis prevention, promote early care-seeking behaviours amongst affected communities and provide technical support for the management of cases.