Sierra Leone Red Cross Society
Dates of implementation: 2019 - present (previous implementations 2018)
Settings: Mixed
Context: Preparedness/ scale-up in emergencies
Data collection system: Started with KoBo reporting system and transitioned to Nyss in 2023
Partners: USAID, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
The Sierra Leone Red Cross Society (SLRCS) is implementing community-based surveillance in Kambia and Kailahun districts with technical support from IFRC and funding from USAID through the Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3).
CP3 staff and volunteers work in close partnership with local human and animal health authorities to quickly detect and report a range of priority diseases, including yellow fever, measles, peste des petits ruminants, rabies and anthrax.
In many instances, trained volunteers are located in rural and/or isolated communities where people have to travel long distances or make difficult journeys to access healthcare. In this context, CBS enables volunteers to be the eyes and ears within their communities, making sure that no disease outbreak goes undetected and facilitating rapid response from local authorities.
In late 2024, SLRCS engaged in discussions with the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health (MoH) and Norwegian Red Cross to integrate the Nyss CBS platform with DHIS-2 of MoH in Sierra Leone. Once the final phase of the development works is completed, this will enable better collaboration with MoH in relation to investigation and response to CBS alerts.
