Net distributions in Cross River State, Nigeria

	The Governor of Cross River State addresses the crowd at the launch of the campaign.
	Chiefs in Cross River State Nigeria at the launch of net distributions.

Written by France Hurtubise, Canadian Red Cross aid worker

On December 12, with great ceremony, His Excellency Governor Liyel Imoke, of Cross River State, officially launched a child survival campaign that includes the distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets. Other distinguished guests included the State Commissioner of Health, the American Ambassador, the Canadian High Commissioner, as well as representatives from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), UN agencies, the Canadian Red Cross and the Nigerian Red Cross.

Held in Biase, one of the 18 Local Government Areas (LGA) of Cross River State, the traditional ceremony launched this unprecedented campaign, during which 676,000 long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets were given to all children under five in Cross River State. Governor Imoke warmly showed his appreciation to the Government of Canada and to the Canadian Red Cross for their generous donation of 560,000 nets, stressing that mosquito nets, alongside the vaccination program, strengthen the impact on child survival. Her Excellency Canadian High Commissioner Caroline Chrétien took the opportunity to thank the volunteers for their time and commitment as they are essential for the success of this campaign.

On the first day of net distributions, the Canadian Red Cross team visited three local health communities in Cross River State - Ikom, Nde and Emangebe. Mothers came with their young children in large numbers. After three days, 75 per cent of families had brought their children to the 511 distribution sites throughout the State. These numbers confirm the success of the campaign.

“I was impressed with the commitment of the Nigerian Red Cross volunteers as well as how well-organized the sites were,” says Ted Tanaka, vice president of the Canadian Red Cross board of governors, adding that he was pleased with the high turnout. “The children made a very strong impression on me. They are what it’s all about -- saving children’s lives.”

During the five days of the campaign, 900 trained Nigerian Red Cross volunteers helped distribute the free mosquito nets. In the following week, they will visit the homes of those who received a net to ensure that they are hung up properly. During this period, the volunteers will also educate families about the importance of their mosquito net for preventing malaria and about the need to seek medical help quickly when their children become ill.

Posted January 5, 2009