SIERRA LEONE

On the back of the devastating Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the memories of the most devastating Cholera outbreak in Sierra Leone in 2013 are probably long gone. But the impact on peoples' lives was lasting, and for some very painful. Cholera is a water-borne disease, primarily spread by the consumption of water or food contaminated by the feces of an infected person. Crowded living conditions, poor sanitation and inadequate access to safe water led to the rapid spread from the capital Freetown into the interior and coastal fishing regions. In response to the outbreak, agencies like ACF International, with whom I was working, fought to treat cases, prevent spread, and sensitise and capacitate the population and health facilities.