Measles Initiative Partners Vaccinate Children Affected By Tsunami Using Successful Campaign Integration Model To Save Lives

American Red Cross transfers $35 million to UN Foundation

WASHINGTON, Monday, February 07, 2005 — To help prevent measles outbreaks and child deaths due to December’s devastating tsunami, the Measles Initiative partners have developed a two phased plan consisting of emergency response and long-term rebuilding of immunization programs throughout some affected areas. The American Red Cross has committed $35 million to the United Nations Foundation (UN Foundation) to support these plans developed by the Measles Initiative.

Emergency activities, currently underway in Aceh, include measles vaccination and vitamin A for all displaced children from nine months to 15 years of age. The Measles Initiative partners will also continue to work closely with the Indonesian Red Cross to support the Indonesian Ministry of Health in rebuilding the devastated immunization programs through replenishing destroyed vaccine storage and logistical equipment and implementing a catch-up measles campaign for all affected children.

“Children are dealing with so much right now in a challenging, sometimes 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.

Since 2001, the Measles Initiative has been reducing measles deaths in sub-Saharan Africa by supporting countries that carry out national vaccination campaigns for African children. 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).

To date, Measles Initiative partners have supported immunization of more than 140 million children in 33 countries, preventing an estimated 300,000 deaths. The Measles Initiative partnership works closely with countries to plan and implement high quality, one-time-only catch-up measles vaccination campaigns. Such campaigns reach children in the most remote areas and provide them with free lifesaving interventions. The same successful campaign model will be used to vaccinate children in the tsunami-affected areas.

The children of Sumatra are especially at risk from measles. Years of civil strife contributed to low vaccination coverage in Aceh and crowded conditions in camps for Internally Displaced People allows measles to spread rapidly. Last year, Sumatra had an estimated 10,000 measles deaths with an estimated 1,000 deaths in Aceh alone. Since the tsunami hit, 20 measles cases have been reported in Aceh.

"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 to quickly mobilize and save children from these killer diseases."

Measles and other infectious diseases such as malaria and dengue fever present an imminent and long-term threat to tsunami survivors. Three main factors contribute to the illness and death from disease after a disaster:

• Crowded areas such as refugee camps contribute to the spread of disease and increased transmission. Measles is the most contagious disease known and can be transmitted quickly through airborne droplets from person to person.
• A breakdown of existing health services impedes prevention of diseases and an inability to treat diseases. If not treated early, people and especially children can die from diseases like measles and malaria.
• Malnutrition weakens the immune system and leaves people more susceptible to diseases and less able to fight the disease. A damaged water and sanitation system also contributes to both.

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. Leading this effort is the American Red Cross, United Nations Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Health Organization (WHO). Other key players in the fight against measles include the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and countries and governments affected by measles.

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.

To make a financial contribution, call 1-800 HELP NOW or to make a secure online donation, log on to www.measlesinitiative.org.

CONTACTS:
Julie Irby, American Red Cross
(202) 303-4264 office (M/F), (202) 439-0722 cell, irbyj@usa.redcross.org

Laura Rogers, UN Foundation
(202) 887-9040 office, (202) 997-1521 cell, lrogers@unfoundation.org

Hayatee Hasan, WHO
(41) 22 791 21 03 office, hasanh@who.int

Erica Kochi, UNICEF
(914) 772-9954 cell, ekochi@unicef.org

Steve Stewart, CDC
(404) 639-8327 office, znc4@cdc.gov