THE Tanzania Red Cross Society (TRCS) has mobilized 750 volunteers to educate the public on Mpox prevention in regions bordering neighbouring countries.

Samwel Katamba, TRCS disaster management manager unveiled this in Dar es Salaam yesterday when speaking to journalists, saying that 50 volunteers have been stationed in each high-risk region to provide crucial information on the disease.

Katamba explained that the volunteers are working closely with community health service providers to raise awareness through house-to-house visits, vehicle outreach, school programs, and public gatherings. The goal is to help people identify Mpox symptoms and understand how to protect themselves.

Regions receiving educational support include Mara, Mwanza, Kagera, Kigoma, Katavi, Rukwa, Mbeya, and Songwe. Katamba emphasized the importance of these efforts, noting that Tanzania shares borders with countries experiencing Mpox outbreaks. "We are committed to educating the public about the disease, its risks, and how it spreads," he said.

The campaign aligns with the Ministry of Health's guidance and will continue until June next year, after which an evaluation will be conducted to measure the community's understanding of the disease.

Christa Christian, TRCS disaster officer, highlighted that responding to health crises like Mpox is a key responsibility of the Red Cross. She emphasized that while the disease has not yet entered Tanzania, precautionary measures are crucial.

TRCS psychologist Maudline Tarazo added that disasters and health crises often cause distress and hopelessness among affected individuals. "Our aim is to restore balance and offer support to those in need," he said, adding that TRCS has experts capable of responding to a variety of disasters, including accidents, floods, diseases, and droughts.