28 Aug 2026

Botswana Red Cross Society (BRCS) through the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) has embarked on a community-based health surveillance project to strengthen surveillance systems.

BRCS vice chairperson for Maun branch, Ms Kelebogile Boranabi said the project aimed at strengthening the ability of communities to identify, report and respond early to health events and emergencies through community-based surveillance.

“It also aims to stabilise living conditions by providing support for health emergencies, epidemics and disease outbreaks,” she said during a meeting with members of the disaster management team.

The project is built on the one previously implemented in Khwai which aimed to stabilise living conditions and support early recovery following severe and persistent floods situation in the village.

The floods had destroyed many houses leaving families displaced and exposed to harsh weather conditions while many households lost essential belonging.

She therefore, noted that project brings together community volunteers and frontline service providers to enhance collaboration, improve referral pathways and promote early detection and reporting.

Ms Boranabi said 33 volunteers had been trained in the district and would be in the field to conduct the surveillance exercise for the months of August and September.

The surveillance sites include Khwai, Sehithwa, Mababe, Sankoyo, Shorobe, Makalamabedi, Tsau and Xharaxhao while in Maun areas such as Matapana, Sedie, Disana, Botshabelo, Moeti, Thito, Bombadi, Boseja and Matshwane would be covered.

Reflecting on the first project, Ms Boranabi said they had managed to distribute 191 non-food essentials such as mattresses, blankets, solar lights and three tents. Some households received tents and tarpaulins for immediate shelter while 20 were issued with vouchers for quality building materials to repair their houses.

Food vouchers, she said were also given to 15 vulnerable households with children under the age of five to address malnutrition risks over two months through retail partners, while 43 received cash to address the severe social impacts of the crisis. ENDS