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Mirabelle Enaka Kima, FICR
The traditional leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the main influencers and guardians of ancestral customs, are the key to community safety and surveillance against the epidemic. ; Ebola.
Increased surveillance is undeniably the last step leading to the adoption of security practices and considerations. In the most affected areas, the engagement of community leaders as key decision makers has been critical to ensuring community openness and effective behavior change.
Jean-Baptiste Youka Ibongo is a traditional chief and principal officer of a large territory of Bikoro. villages. Thanks to his exemplary commitment in the fight against the current Ebola epidemic, he has become an important focal point for his community and he is today one of the main links in the chain community supervision.
from the outbreak, we did not know what was Ebola. We could not protect ourselves and our families from its devastating effects, "he said.
" Our ignorance about the disease left room for rumors and misinformation. People were even wondering if the Ebola virus was real or if some would remain confined to their homes to avoid getting infected. We were all complacent with the security measures provided by the agencies.
Understanding the epidemic, its symptoms and most importantly how to avoid being contaminated, became imperative for John the Baptist, in order to play the role of agent of change
"Receive Key knowledge about Ebola has given me the right arguments and tools to talk to my community and gradually help them understand the dangers and risks involved, "he explained.
The commitment of traditional leaders like John the Baptist has been a great badet to the Red Cross's community engagement efforts. The partnership with traditional leaders inspires confidence and sense of belonging to relief activities and actions undertaken to promote safe practices.
One of the main targets of the Red Cross is to adopt means and mechanisms allowing teams to enter safely. interact with them. Improving the work of community volunteers has been to build their capacity to help families adopt safe prevention attitudes and to monitor and report on community events.
More than 270 volunteers were trained to raise awareness in the three affected health zones of Wangata, Bikoro and Iboko. Traditional leaders, knowing people and being custodians of cultural heritage, help communities apply culturally compatible approaches. This builds confidence in community solutions and reduces fear and misinformation.
In Bikoro, more than 150 community outreach workers, led by community animation focal points, work under the direction and supervision of John the Baptist. Every day these community workers visit households with messages for safe practices.
"I believe that we have been encouraged by humanitarian organizations to gain vital knowledge about the Ebola virus and communication skills to facilitate the work."
To preserve the knowledge gained in the past. Ebola operation and support ongoing efforts to reach remote villages with messages of awareness, traditional leaders consult each other as often as possible.
Jean-Baptiste said: "This is an approach that allows us to strengthen the solidarity of the group, and also to continue to sensitize the communities. However, due to limited financial means, these capacity building initiatives are not common.
The current outbreak began in the Bikoro and Ikoko-Impenge regions of Ecuador, where five suspected cases were detected in May. for Ebola. Until now, Bikoro has recorded the highest number of Ebola cases.
Thomas Bokundu Itofe, president of the DRC Red Cross for the province of Ecuador, said: "Trust between communities and the Red Cross is essential. access to villages.
"We guarantee that people are duly informed and engaged in the necessary steps to protect themselves and their families, while respecting local values."
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