Nicaragua

Nicaragua, located in Central America, has faced challenges due to political instability, civil war and crippling poverty. It is also threatened each year with natural disasters such as volcanoes, landslides and hurricanes.

Health systems, as well as water and sanitation systems, are often inadequate for many communities in Nicaragua, leaving people at risk, most notably women and children.

Thanks to the support of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the Pindoff Millenium Fund, and the Canadian public, the Canadian Red Cross is supporting the Nicaraguan Red Cross to extend child and maternal health services, health and hygiene promotion and health education.

Red Cross / Red Crescent Action

The Canadian Red Cross initiated its work in Nicaragua after Hurricane Mitch devastated the region in 1999.  Since then, the Canadian Red Cross has focused on strengthening the capacity of the Nicaraguan Red Cross in community health and outreach.

The Red Cross community health project in Nicaragua, known locally as the ENLACE Project, which translates to “linkages”, provides:

• The prevention and treatment of childhood diseases
• The promotion of pre and post natal care for women
• The prevention and management of health emergencies to reduce child and maternal mortality.

ENLACE is a five year program, which will run until September 2011. Learn more>>

In addition to mother and child health services, the Red Cross also educates families on health services available to them. Women are encouraged to visit a doctor regularly during pregnancy and are referred to nearby healthcare facilities to give birth.

Entire communities are supporting pregnant women and new mothers to ensure their health and well-being.

How you can help

Although the Canadian Red Cross is working with the Nicaraguan Red Cross and throughout the Americas on programs that improve the lives of vulnerable people, support is still needed. The Red Cross could not continue to do the work that it does without the support of the Canadian public.

Make your donation:

Toll-free at 1-800-418-1111
In person at any Red Cross office
By mailing a cheque or money order to Canadian Red Cross, 170 Metcalfe Street, Ste 300, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2P2. Earmark your donation “Americas region”.

Posted: January 23, 2009