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Written by Lesley C. Hallman, Staff
Writer, RedCross.org
Monday, February 07, 2005
— The American |
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Donations of Unsolicited Goods and In-Kind Items International Red Cross Needs Measles Initiative Works To Prevent Deaths In SE Asia Red Cross Responding to Southern Asia Disaster International
Committee International
Red Cross and Learn More About Red Cross International Social Services Tracing and Red Cross Messages |
million children in Africa since 2001 will
be put to use in areas ravaged by earthquakes and tsunami that struck in
December. “Measles and malaria kill children at an alarming rate in the developing world,” said Timothy E. Wirth, President of the UN Foundation. “The health systems we have built in Africa through the Measles Initiative are saving thousands of children. Through the generosity of the American Red Cross, we will be able to replicate these systems in Sumatra to quickly mobilize and save children from these killer diseases.” Partners in the Measles Initiative include the American Red Cross, United Nations Foundation (UN Foundation), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation). One of the biggest concerns following the tsunami was preventing the spread of infectious disease. Crowded conditions in relief camps following the tsunami are a perfect breeding ground for diseases like measles, the most contagious disease known, to spread. |
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Children in Sumatra are considered especially at risk for measles. Civil unrest in the country has led to low vaccination rates overall. In 2004, there were an estimated 10,000 measles deaths. The Measles Initiative plan includes two phases to support the immediate and long-term vaccination needs of children in the area. “Children are dealing with so much right now in a brand new, tragic world. They are hungry, thirsty, tired and frightened. In addition to other ongoing relief efforts, the American Red Cross and its partners will work to keep them healthy by making sure each at-risk child receives the vaccinations he or she needs,” said Marsha J. Evans, American Red Cross President and CEO. Launched in February 2001, the Measles Initiative is a long-term commitment to control measles deaths in Africa by vaccinating 200 million children and preventing 1.2 million deaths over five years. While the Measles Initiative is focused in Africa where the majority of measles-related deaths occur, partners also work on a wide-range of health initiatives around the world, including measles control and other vaccination services outside of Africa. For more information about the Measles Initiative, log on to www.measlesinitiative.org.
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For additional information or questions, please
contact the American Red Cross Mount Rainier Chapter Serving Pierce Thurston, Mason, and Lewis Counties |
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(253) 474-0400 Pierce County |
(360) 352-8575 Thurston-Mason Counties | ||
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(360) 748-4607 Lewis County |
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