Canadian Red Cross gives lifesaving gift to 730,000 children in Togo
(Ottawa, December 13, 2004) — In the largest initiative of its kind, Red Cross volunteers will travel throughout Togo this month to distribute some 730,000 insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs) to families with children less than five years of age. The bed nets—which last for up to three years—will be given out free of charge to provide protection against mosquito bites that transmit malaria. In Africa, malaria is the leading killer of children under five.
The nets are provided by the Canadian Red Cross with funding from the Canadian International Development Agency. They will be distributed from December 13 to 19.
At the same time these children will receive the measles vaccine and albendazole (to fight intestinal worms).
“These nets are a cost effective way of fighting death and disease due to malaria, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for 90 percent of deaths due to malaria worldwide,” said Marcy Erskine, Canadian Red Cross Program Manager in Togo. “Often people who are in greatest need are unable to access or afford them—even at a cost of about $6.00 CDN each.”
In Zambia, during one week in June 2003, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Canadian Red Cross provided 90,000 ITNs in five districts. In these districts, household ITN coverage increased from 29 percent (pre-campaign) to 85 percent. In a post-campaign follow up study, it was shown that 70% of children continue to sleep under their bed nets.
“This malaria prevention program will make a huge difference in the lives of families,” said Kate Wood, President, Canadian Red Cross, who is in Togo from December 12 to 16 as part of the project. “Malaria can represent a financial burden to families in Togo, as malaria medication is expensive. Most importantly, it is estimated that at least six lives can be saved for every 1,000 children who sleep under a bed net.”
This integrated initiative is a collaborative effort with the Canadian International Development Agency, Togolese Red Cross, Togolese Ministry of Health, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, WHO, UNICEF, American Red Cross and Norwegian Red Cross.
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For more information or to arrange an interview with a spokesperson in Togo, please contact:
Suzanne Charest
Canadian Red Cross
Tel.: (613) 740-1928
Cell.: (613) 222-6196
