Since May 2018 Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS) volunteers have been active in community based surveillance (CBS), aiming at early detection and response to potential outbreaks. In rural Somaliland, infrastructure and access to health care is poor, but with the new CBS platform developed by Norwegian Red Cross volunteers, SRCS volunteers can send a text message to alert when someone is sick with symptoms of epidemic-prone diseases. The cloud-based system enables real-time reporting, monitoring, and information sharing with all stakeholders and early action, so that outbreaks can be stopped before they happen. Early action is ensured through SRCS’ network of mobile clinics, serving the rural population.
Download the infographic to learn more about how early detection and reporting led to early action in Somaliland.