Emergency project to strengthen the response to the cholera epidemic in the health zones of Tchomia, Since December 18, 2011, population of Ituri faces the cholera epidemic which broke out in two localities, Matete and Koga, which are small islands of fishermen in Lake Albert, in the Health Zone of Tchomia. The epidemic continues to expand, at an alarming rate in neighbouring health zones (Gety, Bunia, Lita and Drodro); to date, 866 cases have been reported with 24 deaths. A struggle committee was established to end the epidemic, composed of state specialized services (Health Districts and Health Zones), local authorities, humanitarian agencies (Health and Wash clusters, with Caritas as member) and civil society but the epidemic has taken advance on the response and continues to expand into surrounding areas.

This emergency project would therefore enhance the fight against this epidemic of cholera, in collaboration with other stakeholders to strengthen preventive and curative measures (by intensifying awareness, training of community volunteers ("relais communautaires") and nurses ("infirmiers titulaires"), the system of referencing and the management of biomedical waste) to stop the chain of transmission and spread of cholera and other waterborne diseases in 36 health areas of the concerned health zones (Bunia, Tchomia, Gety Lita and Drodro).
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Activities of this project will globally have an effect on entire population of the 36 targeted health areas (approximately 127.913 inhabitants). Particularly, 5 health zones will be equipped with emergency kits to be able to treat victims of cholera patients. 
Within three months, the project would therefore achieve the following objectives:
1. To strengthen preventive measures through awareness of entire population of 5 affected Health Zones (Tchomia, Lita, Drodro, Gety and Bunia) on basic hygiene practices and environmental sanitation;
2. To strengthen and enable a correct management of cholera cases through the training of 60 nurses ("Infirmiers Titulaires") and 300 community volunteers ("relais communautaires") of concerned Health Zones;
3. Pre-positioning kits to treat at least 25 cholera cases in each Health Zones (5 kits);
4. To provide the Health Zone of Tchomia with a speedboat - ambulance to ensure rapid transport of patients to Cholera Treatment Centers (CTC);
5. To provide 10 Health Areas with incinerators for a good biomedical waste management.

Awareness campaigns and training of nurses and community volunteers will create a sustainable basis to change behaviour of targeted people and a good detection and treatment of any suspected case of cholera. To allow operation and maintenance of the speedboat, Health Zone of Tchomia will incorporate a small amount in each medical voucher (except in cases of cholera which will be free). The generated amount will be used for fuel, repairs and payment of the speedboat workers (as it is done with the jeep ambulance).
During the life of the project, monitoring and evaluation activities will be undertaken by Health Zones under the supervision of Caritas and the Health Districts of Bunia and Djugu with some fild visits from the emergency team of CAFOD. A final evaluation and audit will be held within 3 months after completion of the project activities.