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The Measles Initiative
American Red CrossIFRC World Youth Meeting
2009
International Services Mission
The American Red Cross International Services helps vulnerable people and communities around the world prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters, humanitarian crises and health emergencies through mobilizing the power of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
What is Measles?
• Acute, viral disease that can lead to death
• Transmitted through the air from person-to-person
• Highly contagious
Measles: A Child Killer• Prior to the Measles Initiative, almost 1
million children died each year• It costs less than $1 to vaccinate a child
What is the Measles Initiative?• A partnership committed to reducing
measles deaths -- led by the American Red Cross, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UN Foundation, UNICEF and World Health Organization;
• Provides technical and financial assistance to governments to carry-out mass vaccination campaigns;
• Goal: to reduce measles deaths by 90% by 2010 (compared to 2000).
No second opportunity for measles immunization (47)
94 % of all measles deaths
Role of the American Red Cross
• Partner coordination• Technical support to
in-country partners• Communication and
advocacy• Resource mobilization
Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Chairman of the
American Red Cross, in Madagascar (October 2007)
Supporting National Societies
The American Red Crosssupports National Red Crossand Red Crescent Societies
by:1) Providing technical
assistance; 2) Training local volunteers
and health workers; and3) Providing financial
support.
An American Red Cross technical advisor inspectssupplies during an integrated health campaign
Social Mobilization in Africa and Asia
Bringing the message to communities
Mass Vaccination Campaigns
VitaminA
PolioVaccinatio
n
Deworming
Tablets
Integrated Campaigns
Mosquito
Nets>186 million >95 million >81 million >37 million
Nationwide second measles opportunity introduced (46)
No second opportunity introduced (1)
Accomplishments
Since 2001, theMeasles Initiativehas:1. Supported campaigns
in more than 60 countries, vaccinating more than 600 million children;
2. Improved surveillance and strengthened health systems
A Red Cross volunteer marks a baby’s finger
in Madagascar
Estimated Measles Deaths 2000-2007
-
200,000
400,000
600,000
800,000
1,000,000
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
mea
sles
dea
ths
Estimated Measles Deaths, 2007
= 1000 death
67%
Current Challenges
• 540 children die every day from measles
• In 2007, more than 23 million one-year-old children did not receive a measles vaccine through national health systems
• 40 States with active chapters• 121 Chapters raised funds between
July 2007 and June 2008• Chapters hold events that raise
anywhere from $100 to $11,000
American Red Cross Chapter Participation
Band Together and “Come Bat” Measles
Highlights from 2008:
Mat MorganAngela Bingham
• Help raise awareness within your network of friends, family and coworkers• Organize activities and events to raise funds
The Red Cross has tools to help you jump start activities and be successful in your outreach efforts.
Examples: One-on-one support, brochures, fact sheets, photos, videos and networking opportunities
How You Can Get Involved
Youth Activity IdeasIn schools…• Sell lapel pins or postcards• Host a used book sale• Make a presentation to your
classmates• Sell paper dolls for $1 and hang on the
wall• Hand out flyers at schools, dances, games
