Rapid Response to Skin Disease Outbreak in Halaba Special Woreda (SNNPR) through emergency support of WASH and Health systems and NFIs distribution to the  affected communities The project aims to address the outbreak of Skin Disease in Halaba Special Woreda of SNNPR, where there are 84 Kebeles and 76 of them so far have been affected. The project aims to address the problem in at least 40 of the 76 affected Kebels according to specific priorities. 

The proposed intervention is closely coordinated with other actors at local level (governmental offices, other INGOs, etc.) to ensure an effective response and to prevent overlapping of activities. The list of targeted Kebeles to be prioritized has been discussed with above mentioned actors based on the numbers of cases, general vulnerability of the communities in terms of capacity of response to the Skin Disease outbreak, and current capacity/lack of response. 

The general objective of this project is to strengthen Skin Disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and response, and coordination of multi-sector response in the most affected Kebeles of the Halaba Special Woreda:

 To strengthen the scabies surveillance, preparedness and response activities at all levels.
 To deliver supplies required for the outbreak response. 
 To enhance the multi-sector coordination and partners’ involvement on the control and Prevention of Skin Disease disease. 
 To advocate, mobilize and make awareness creation about scabies prevention and control among the communities. 
 To support the coordination, monitoring and evaluation of the overall response. 

People in need is active in Halaba Special Woreda currently responding to effects of El Nino drought from field office located in Halaba Kulito town (Woreda capital), in addition has in the Woreda long term activities in WASH, Education and Natural Resource Management (NRM). The initial response and further assessment of Skin Disease response had been closely coordinated with Regional and Woreda Health and Water offices. 

The interventions proposed are in line with the recommendations of the UNICEF and Health Cluster Skin Disease Coordination and the multi‐sector approach decided at different levels, and include the following major activities for best response to the situation on the ground and acute needs of the targeted areas and population:

 (Health) Support of regional government health officers (RHB and Woreda Health Office) in surveillance, screening and reporting for Skin Disease cases, improving also supply management (drugs, IEC) and coordination with existing national humanitarian coordination mechanisms 
 (H) Proper Data management: recording, documentation and reporting of cases, and cases treatment or mass treatment
 (H) Basic training on Skin Disease and rapid response for all health workers from health facilities (HEWs and HDAs)
 (WASH) Support of schools system to prepare them for Skin Disease response – training for principals and teachers, prevention campaign among the pupils (procurement of laundry and body soap for pupils, hygiene kits for schools, T-shirts and other informative materials for pupils)
 (H/NFI) Support infected households, procurement and distribution of WASH/hygiene materials
 (NFI) Procurement and distribution of NFIs for infected households
 (W) Hygiene and sanitation practices: community demonstrations of proper washing practices
 (W) IEC material production, printing and dissemination (brochures, posters, radio messages,
illustrative job aids for HDAs and HEWs) for hygiene and sanitation promotional activities
 (W) Water supply, small rehabilitation and/or water tracking (if necessary) and procurement of water tanks for schools and communities

The projects duration is 6 months to adequately respond to Scabies affected Kebeles and prevent further transmission among population, extending and supporting governmental response and services with special regard to population in the age of 5-14 years, i.e. small children and children in elementary schools.