The Viet Nam Red Cross Society's emergency response to the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) outbreak in 2012

HFMD cases within the first three months of 2012 were 7.5 times higher than same period in 2011 according to the MOH. As of March 9, there were more than 15,000 infections in 61 provinces, including 11 deaths in 8 provinces. The IFRC launched the first HFMD Emergen-cy Appeal to support the emergency response operation implemented by VNRC from April to December 2012. The objective of the operation was to reduce infection, death and spread of HFMD in project provinces via improving knowledge, awareness and practices of the target population to HFMD. The final evaluation aims to assess the effectiveness and impact of HFMD operation and provide recommendations to improve VNRC emergency health response system in the country. The evaluation team conducted desk review, key informant interviews and focus group discussions with officials/staff, stakeholders, and beneficiaries at different levels in Hanoi and 6 communes in 3 districts of An Giang, Long An, and Da Nang.