Guest blog by Chiran Livera, a Canadian Red Cross delegate who is currently based in Kenya where he oversees the humanitarian operations for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies throughout the continent. His latest field assignment was managing the cholera outbreak in South Sudan.
Recently, in the town of Torit, South Sudan, a small two-year-old boy got sick and started showing all the common signs of cholera – dehydration, vomiting and muscle cramps. Quickly, a babysitter brought the boy to the Red Cross community health tent that has been specifically set-up to detect and assist with early intervention of cholera. At the tent, two Red Cross volunteers quickly took the boy inside and provided him clean water with rehydration salts. This specific mixture allows the body to regain strength and counter some of the cholera effects.
However, as the boy was very young, he rapidly became worse and the Red Cross volunteers quickly took him to the main hospital. Along the way, he was provided emergency first aid to stay alive. At the hospital the doctors begin treating the boy as his mother arrived. Very much in panic, she was assured by the volunteers that the boy is in good hands and to allow the hospital to do its work.
This story has a good ending. The doctors were able to save the boy’s life and provide him with more clean water and the rehydration solution to counter cholera. Within a few days, the boy was healthy and back on his feet.
I met the mother a few weeks later when she came by the Red Cross community health tent with her little boy. Proud and happy, the volunteers told me she comes regularly to simply say thanks. She was curious about the.jpg.aspx)
work of the Red Cross and how we became so knowledgeable about cholera and first aid that we were able to save her son’s life. After explaining our community-based approach, I could see the
Recently, in the town of Torit, South Sudan, a small two-year-old boy got sick and started showing all the common signs of cholera – dehydration, vomiting and muscle cramps. Quickly, a babysitter brought the boy to the Red Cross community health tent that has been specifically set-up to detect and assist with early intervention of cholera. At the tent, two Red Cross volunteers quickly took the boy inside and provided him clean water with rehydration salts. This specific mixture allows the body to regain strength and counter some of the cholera effects.
However, as the boy was very young, he rapidly became worse and the Red Cross volunteers quickly took him to the main hospital. Along the way, he was provided emergency first aid to stay alive. At the hospital the doctors begin treating the boy as his mother arrived. Very much in panic, she was assured by the volunteers that the boy is in good hands and to allow the hospital to do its work.
This story has a good ending. The doctors were able to save the boy’s life and provide him with more clean water and the rehydration solution to counter cholera. Within a few days, the boy was healthy and back on his feet.
I met the mother a few weeks later when she came by the Red Cross community health tent with her little boy. Proud and happy, the volunteers told me she comes regularly to simply say thanks. She was curious about the
work of the Red Cross and how we became so knowledgeable about cholera and first aid that we were able to save her son’s life. After explaining our community-based approach, I could see the
appreciation in her eyes. She walked away feeling content and said she would come by again to learn more.
The Red Cross community health tent provides a crucial service at the village level as a first intervention to health situations. Cholera is the focus now and volunteers continue to see affected people daily, providing them with much-needed clean water, a place to rest and importantly, information about how to prevent and treat cholera.
Learn about how the Canadian Red Cross is supporting communities in South Sudan.
The Red Cross community health tent provides a crucial service at the village level as a first intervention to health situations. Cholera is the focus now and volunteers continue to see affected people daily, providing them with much-needed clean water, a place to rest and importantly, information about how to prevent and treat cholera.
Learn about how the Canadian Red Cross is supporting communities in South Sudan.
