In August 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the rising cases of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and surrounding countries. The outbreak had been applying immense pressure on the DRC's health system for some time- a system already grappling with multiple health challenges. RedR Australia roster member Vincenza, has been in country since December last year, responding to the epidemic as a Health Information Management Officer. Her position is made possible by the UK Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO).
An experienced Information Management Officer, Vincenza is deployed to the World Health Organization in Kinshasa, DRC. Her work centers on supporting the Health Cluster Coordinator and the lead agency at the country level in managing the response to the Mpox outbreak. A strong response is crucial, given the volatile and fast-evolving nature of the crisis, and the complex and compounding impacts of cholera, malaria, measles, and high maternal and child mortality rates in DRC.
Balancing needs and risks
Although unforeseeable, but not uncommon, Vincenza’s work with WHO was soon disrupted as violence erupted in the eastern regions of North and South Kivu on January 26. The security situation quickly escalated and tensions from ongoing conflicts prompted a series of attacks on UN and embassy buildings, leaving Kinshasa in a state of heightened insecurity. This led to a temporary lockdown and closure of UN offices in the capital impacting the workflow of Vincenza and the WHO team, as well as their safety.
Despite the pause for security reasons, Vincenza continued her work as soon as the security situation allowed. "The sense of general insecurity is always in the air," Vincenza admits, reflecting on the challenges faced by international workers in the region who are based in volatile contexts while engaged in critical health response efforts.
Busy street in Kinshasa, DRC where RedR Australia roster member Vincenza is based. Photo Credit: Vincenza Lofino
Work in progress
Vincenza is embedded within the Emergency Preparedness and Response Unit at WHO. Her primary focus is on improving data collection and analysis systems, ensuring that the Health Cluster’s response to the mpox outbreak and other ongoing health emergencies is both effective and coordinated.
Additionally, Vincenza has also helped compile the WHO Health Cluster's monthly bulletins, offering updates on the outbreak’s status and progress. These bulletins, crucial for internal and external reporting, are key communication tools for coordinating across international organizations like OCHA and the broader humanitarian community.
As the mpox response continues, Vincenza’s work is far from over. Future activities will involve an ongoing focus on collecting, analyzing, and visualizing data to ensure that operations are adapted to emerging needs.
There are also plans to develop dynamic mapping to support decision-making so responders can understand geographical areas most in need of intervention. These efforts are critical to ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently, maximizing the impact of the response on affected populations.
RedR Australia roster member Vincenza, working alongside her colleague at the World Health Organisation (WHO). Photo Credit: Vincenza Lofino
A commitment to recovery
As the rest of the world pushes the memory of the COVID-19 pandemic aside, countries like DRC are still battling devastating diseases. RedR Australia is deeply proud to play a part in recovery efforts with funding support from FCDO, our strong Stand by Partnership network connections and the humanitarian skillset across our roster.
To find out more about RedR Australia, our training, our people and their impact, you can read our stories here www.redr.org.au
