Following the first reported cholera case in Lebanon, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) declared a cholera outbreak on 6 October 2022. The overall response to the cholera outbreak was led by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) on behalf of the Government of Lebanon. UNHCR supported the national cholera response plan and worked closely with the Government of Lebanon, UN agencies, and NGOs to enhance preparedness and capacity to respond to future outbreaks. UNHCR was an active member of the National Cholera Taskforce, in addition to membership of the Oral Cholera Vaccination (OCV) Committee along with the Hospitals and Primary Health Care Committees.
UNHCR’s cholera response strategy centered on ensuring case management for cholera cases, improving readiness and prevention at all levels, and raising awareness among national, municipal, and community actors.
Since November 2022, UNHCR has supported the MoPH by implementing the Nationwide National Oral Cholera Vaccination campaign. During this campaign which ended in February 2023, 1,040,683 single doses of the oral cholera vaccine were administered, out of which over 60% of the beneficiaries were Lebanese, and the rest were Syrian.
“This is about saving lives. With the support of our partners, we were able to deliver vaccinations to the most vulnerable, which helped contain the cholera outbreak and safeguard entire communities in the most difficult-to-reach places,” says Dr. Zinia Sultana, UNHCR Senior Public Health Officer.
Additionally, 250 vaccination teams were mobilized for door-to-door vaccine provision, community engagement, and distribution of cholera education materials. Furthermore, 500 + UNHCR Outreach Volunteers (OVs) were trained in awareness raising, information sharing, and surveillance in high-risk locations. As part of Rapid Response Teams of humanitarian partners, twenty nurses were deployed nationwide for referrals and treatment.
As part of its case management and hospital support response, UNHCR converted 2 COVID-19 treatment facilities in Halba and Tripoli into cholera treatment centers.
“Dr. Abdullah El Rassi” Governmental Hospital was the first to receive Cholera patients and was supported by UNHCR for its first emergency response along with the conversion of the COVID-19 facilities into a Cholera Treatment Center.
“UNHCR was amongst the first who provided support, in addition, of course, to the MoPH support. Their support was essential in immediately beginning the lifesaving response against this horrible illness”, said Dr. Atik, the cholera treating doctor at the Dr. Abdullah El Rassi Government Hospital. “When families and individuals began being admitted into the hospital, UNHCR started planning and coordination efforts with us to convert the facilities into a cholera treatment center. Their support was crucial at such a critical and incredibly challenging time”, continued Dr. Atik.
Additionally, 200 cholera beds were procured to capacitate hospitals to receive severe cases, while 11 health facilities supported prevention efforts, including hygiene practices and awareness.
UNHCR also covered 100% of hospital costs for all suspected and confirmed cases among refugee patients.
Ali, a Syrian refugee, and father of two-year-old Ahmad, explained how frightened he was in November 2022 when his son started getting sick. “Ahmad was severely dehydrated and suffering from diarrhea and vomiting. He was hospitalized for about a week”, explained Ali. “I truly believe the treatment he received was lifesaving because it was administered in a hospital that had a specific Cholera Treatment Center,” referencing the Tripoli Government Hospital. Ahmad has fully recovered, and Ali rests assured because he vaccinated his son and explained, “The vaccine will ensure this illness never threatens my son’s life ever again.”
UNHCR’s response also focused on access to hygiene, shelter, and sanitation for Lebanese and refugees living in inadequate shelters. As such, 4,253 hygiene kits were distributed in Collective Shelters across the country.
“We are fully appreciative of the positive role UNHCR played in fighting the cholera outbreak in Lebanon. Their active participation in the National Cholera Task Force, and their support to treatment facilities, awareness campaigns, and vaccine deployment in targeted areas, were key in the successful execution of the efforts to control the outbreak,” said H.E. Minister of Public Health, Dr. Firas Abiad, in January 2023[1].
The generous contribution of the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), and other donors, to the cholera response in Lebanon enabled UNHCR to carry out its lifesaving interventions to help curb the cholera outbreak in Lebanon. CERF, “a fund by all, for all,” ensured that urgently needed humanitarian assistance reached the most vulnerable people in a time of need.
[1] UNHCR Press Release- Jan 2023
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