Cook Islands Dengue Outbreak – DREF Operational Update MDRCK003

Country: Cook Islands Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Please refer to the attached file. Since the launch of the operation, the dengue situation in the Cook Islands has improved, with a significant reduction in reported cases. However, vector surveillance and community clean-up activities continue to identify mosquito breeding sites across affected communities, indicating an ongoing risk of renewed transmission. As a result, the operational strategy has been revised to transition from an intensive emergency response towards sustaining targeted prevention, surveillance, and preparedness activities to reduce the risk of renewed transmission. Implementation of the operation has progressed well, with a satisfactory expenditure rate and a remaining balance resulting from operational efficiencies and cost savings. Savings were achieved through procurement processes, lower-than-anticipated operational costs, and activities that were reduced in scope or not fully implemented due to the evolving epidemiological situation. The remaining balance has been reallocated to support priority activities that align with the revised operational strategy and emerging needs. The budget reallocation is justified by the need to sustain critical response capacities and maximise the impact of available resources. Reallocated funds will strengthen targeted vector control measures, community engagement and risk communication, distribution and post-distribution monitoring activities, blood donor recruitment and blood bank support, logistics and procurement capacity, and ongoing surveillance and environmental clean-up efforts in coordination with the MoH. In addition, additional resources have been allocated to strengthen the Lessons Learned Workshop to ensure that operational experiences, good practices, and recommendations are effectively documented and used to improve future public health emergency preparedness and response. These adjustments will enable the operation to maintain essential public health interventions while ensuring the efficient and accountable use of available funds.

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