Evaluation of two emergency interventions: outbreak of malaria and epidemic of measles, DRC

Abstract

This report sets out the results of the evaluation of two emergency interventions: outbreak of malaria and measles epidemic, carried out by OCG in Orientale Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo between June 2012 and July 2013. It is a retrospective evaluation that was done between March and May 2014, with the methodology based mainly on a review of documents and interviews with resource persons. Its objective was to capitalise on the lessons learned so as to improve preparation and response capacity for future epidemics in similar situations. During the malaria outbreak, MSF led a four-month emergency intervention (28 June - 25 October 2012) targeting some 380 000 persons in the four health zones. In all, 58 761 cases of simple malaria were treated by the ambulatory units, and 3 537 cases of severe malaria were treated in four hospitalization units. In addition, 6 886 persons benefited from the "Test & Treat" strategy, 3 236 of whom (47%) tested positive and received ACT treatment. To respond to the measles epidemic, MSF intervened for nine months (November 2012 - July 2013) and covered some 741 000 persons in the seven health zones. In all, 26 804 cases of simple measles and 4 114 cases of complications were treated by MSF. In addition, 189 067 children between the ages of 6 months and 15 years were vaccinated against measles, with coverage ranging, according to surveys, from 87% to 97%.