Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most dangerous region in the world for a baby to be born - with 1.16 million babies dying each year in the first 28 days of life - but six low-income African countries, Burkina Faso, Eritrea, Madagascar, Malawi, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania, have made significant progress in reducing deaths among newborn babies, according to a new report published today.
The report, Opportunities for Africa's newborns, brings together new data and analysis from a team of 60 authors and nine international organizations from the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, (PMNCH). The Partnership represents developing and donor countries, non-governmental agencies, foundations and multi-lateral organizations, including the World Health Organization.
"Good news does come out of Africa," said Dr. Joy Lawn, co-editor of the report, who works in Africa for Saving Newborn Lives/Save the Children-US. "Whilst the survival of the African child has shown almost no improvement since the 1980s, the fact that during 2006 several large African countries have reported a dramatic reduction in the risk of child deaths gives us new hope of more rapid progress to save Africa's children."
Although no measurable progress has been made in reducing newborn mortality rates for babies during the first month of life in Africa at regional level, a turnaround has been seen in the six countries highlighted in the report, with an average reduction of 29% over the last 10 years. Across the six countries, the reduction ranges from 20% in Tanzania and Malawi to 39% in Burkina Faso and 47% in Eritrea. The authors identified factors that contributed to this progress. For example:
-- In Malawi, there is presidential-level commitment to maternal newborn and child health and increased investment by partners to address the lack of human resources.
-- United Republic of Tanzania has recorded a 30% reduction in child mortality and a 20% fall in newborn deaths over the last 5 years. District health managers set local budget priorities based on deaths in each district and this has meant increased government spending on essential maternal and child healthcare.
-- In Uganda, the performance of district health services is ranked each year and published in the national newspaper.
-- Eritrea has made consistent progress over 20 years in reducing child and newborn deaths with an average annual reduction of around 4% over the last decade through a focus on reaching high coverage of basic public health services, including to the poor.
-- Burkina Faso ensures that poor women do not pay for the catastrophic cost of an emergency caesarean section- often more than an average family income for the year.
Up to half a million African babies die on the day they are born - most at home and uncounted. According to the report, Liberia has the world's highest newborn mortality rate at 66 deaths per 1,000 births compared to less than 2 deaths per 1,000 births in Japan and 6 deaths per 1,000 births in Latvia. Half of Africa's 1.16 million newborn deaths occur in just five countries - Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, United Republic of Tanzania and Uganda. Nigeria alone has over 255,000 newborn deaths each year.
"The health of newborn babies has fallen between the cracks - Africa's un-named, and uncounted, lost children," said Dr Francisco Songane, Director of the Partnership. "We must count newborn deaths and make them count, instead of accepting these deaths as inevitable. The progress of these six African countries demonstrates that even the world's poorest countries can look after their newborns, their most vulnerable citizens. They have shown the way-we must seize the opportunity."
The President of the Pan-African Parliament, Hon. Amb. Gertrude Mongella, is spearheading action in maternal, newborn and child health through the African Union and the Pan African Parliament in Johannesburg. "Reaching every woman, baby and child in Africa with essential care will depend on us, the users of this publication. We all have a role to play as governments to lead, as policymakers to guarantee essential interventions and equity, as partners and donors to support programmes," she said.
The authors warn that opportunities to save newborn lives within existing programmes are often missed. For example two-thirds of women in Africa attend antenatal care yet only 10% receive preventive treatment for malaria and a mere 1% of mothers with HIV receive the recommended treatment to prevent mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS.
The report found that two-thirds of newborn deaths in sub-Saharan Africa -up to 800 000 babies a year -could be saved if 90 % of women and babies received feasible, low-cost health interventions. These include immunizing women against tetanus, providing a skilled attendant at birth, treating newborn infections promptly and educating mothers about hygiene, warmth and breastfeeding for infants. Saving these lives would take only an estimated US $ 1.39 per capita-or US $1 billion per year. According to the report, this cost would benefit others, in particular the one million stillborns and 250 000 mothers who also die each year.
Quotations from other Partnership members
Professor E. Oluwole Akande, chair of the African Regional Maternal Newborn and Child Health Task Force.
"Policy frameworks such as the Roadmap for Maternal and Newborn Survival are now in place in many African countries to reach every mother and baby with essential care. The gap remains between policy and action," said Professor E. Oluwole Akande. "This publication helps to bridge this gap and will be an invaluable toolkit for action."
Kate Kerber, co-editor of the publication
"We identified the ABCD of progress by examining the six low income countries that are progressing ", said Kate Kerber. "Accountable leadership, Bringing national policy into district-level action, Community ownership, and Demonstrated focus on reaching all mothers, newborn and children with essential life-saving care"
Dr Doyin Oluwole, Director of Africa 2010 (one of the authors of the report)
"Maternal, newborn and child health care is the backbone of a healthy health system." states Doyin Oluwole. "African decision makers are finding that systematically addressing newborn health benefits existing maternal and child health care and promotes integration with other programmes. Integration saves lives and money."
The Partnership for Maternal, Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH)
PMNCH represents more than 80 organizations, agencies and country members. Involved in this publication included: Saving Newborn Lives/Save the Children-US, The World Health Organization, WHO/AFRO, UNICEF, 2 regional offices of UNICEF in Africa, the Population Council, USAID, BASICS, ACCESS, AED, ACQUIRE, Africa 2010, MAQ and LINKAGES and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO). Others involved include: International Paediatric Association (IPA), Union of African Paediatric Societies and Associations (UNAPSA).
-- REPORT: Opportunities for Africa's Newborns
-- The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health
who.int
вторник, 31 мая 2011 г.
понедельник, 30 мая 2011 г.
Achievements Offer New Prospects For Success In Global Efforts To Help Africa's Children
UNICEF called for large-scale, focused investments in improved health systems for sub-Saharan Africa, to capitalize on recent achievements and help children who have inadequate access to health care.
The call came as the children's agency launched its first The State of Africa's Children 2008 report at the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV) in Japan.
"Every year, nearly 10 million children die before their fifth birthday and one half of these deaths occur in Africa," said Ann M. Veneman, UNICEF Executive Director. "Where community-based integrated health systems are in place, lives can be saved."
According to the report, the five African countries that are predominately north of the Sahara desert -- Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia -- reduced their child mortality rates by at least 45 per cent between 1990 and 2006, putting them on track to meet Millennium Development Goal child survival target of reducing under-five mortality by two thirds by 2015.
In sub-Saharan Africa, under-five mortality decreased by 14 per cent between 1990 and 2006, but with one in every six children dying before their fifth birthday, sub-Saharan Africa remains the most difficult place in the world for a child to survive.
The State of Africa's Children 2008 provides data and analysis of the situation of the continent's children, outlines recent successes, and proposes concrete actions and programmes that can save children's lives.
It outlines recent achievements in child survival and primary health-care in sub-Saharan Africa:
- In four of the world's least developed nations, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Malawi and Mozambique, under-five mortality rates have been reduced by 40 per cent or more since 1990;
- Measles deaths in sub-Saharan Africa have fallen by a remarkable 91 per cent between 2000 and 2006;
- Sixteen African countries have tripled coverage of insecticide-treated mosquito nets to protect against malaria since 2000;
- Rates of exclusive breastfeeding have increased from 22 per cent in 1996 to 30 per cent in 2006 throughout sub-Saharan Africa;
- Use of micronutrient supplements has risen;
- Access to treatment for HIV-positive mothers and children is rising from a low base;
- Between 2004 and 2006, coverage of antiretroviral treatment to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV tripled in eastern and southern Africa; and
- A growing consensus is emerging among governments and other important actors on the right strategies to further improve child and maternal survival.
The report also emphasizes the need for a continuum of care across time and place: from pregnancy, childbirth, postnatal and newborn periods into childhood and adolescence, and extending from the household and community, to the local clinic, the district hospital and beyond.
"The essential services and practices required to avert child deaths in Africa are well established," said Veneman. "The report describes immunization, insecticide-treated bed nets and vitamin A supplementation, all of which have helped to reduce child deaths in recent years."
The State of Africa's Children 2008 urges all stakeholders - including governments, international agencies, non-governmental organizations, civil society and the private sector - to unite behind the goals of maternal, newborn and child survival.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, safe water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
unicef
The call came as the children's agency launched its first The State of Africa's Children 2008 report at the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV) in Japan.
"Every year, nearly 10 million children die before their fifth birthday and one half of these deaths occur in Africa," said Ann M. Veneman, UNICEF Executive Director. "Where community-based integrated health systems are in place, lives can be saved."
According to the report, the five African countries that are predominately north of the Sahara desert -- Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia -- reduced their child mortality rates by at least 45 per cent between 1990 and 2006, putting them on track to meet Millennium Development Goal child survival target of reducing under-five mortality by two thirds by 2015.
In sub-Saharan Africa, under-five mortality decreased by 14 per cent between 1990 and 2006, but with one in every six children dying before their fifth birthday, sub-Saharan Africa remains the most difficult place in the world for a child to survive.
The State of Africa's Children 2008 provides data and analysis of the situation of the continent's children, outlines recent successes, and proposes concrete actions and programmes that can save children's lives.
It outlines recent achievements in child survival and primary health-care in sub-Saharan Africa:
- In four of the world's least developed nations, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Malawi and Mozambique, under-five mortality rates have been reduced by 40 per cent or more since 1990;
- Measles deaths in sub-Saharan Africa have fallen by a remarkable 91 per cent between 2000 and 2006;
- Sixteen African countries have tripled coverage of insecticide-treated mosquito nets to protect against malaria since 2000;
- Rates of exclusive breastfeeding have increased from 22 per cent in 1996 to 30 per cent in 2006 throughout sub-Saharan Africa;
- Use of micronutrient supplements has risen;
- Access to treatment for HIV-positive mothers and children is rising from a low base;
- Between 2004 and 2006, coverage of antiretroviral treatment to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV tripled in eastern and southern Africa; and
- A growing consensus is emerging among governments and other important actors on the right strategies to further improve child and maternal survival.
The report also emphasizes the need for a continuum of care across time and place: from pregnancy, childbirth, postnatal and newborn periods into childhood and adolescence, and extending from the household and community, to the local clinic, the district hospital and beyond.
"The essential services and practices required to avert child deaths in Africa are well established," said Veneman. "The report describes immunization, insecticide-treated bed nets and vitamin A supplementation, all of which have helped to reduce child deaths in recent years."
The State of Africa's Children 2008 urges all stakeholders - including governments, international agencies, non-governmental organizations, civil society and the private sector - to unite behind the goals of maternal, newborn and child survival.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, safe water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
unicef
воскресенье, 29 мая 2011 г.
American Red Cross Launches National Fundraising Campaign
As Hurricane Ike continues its path towards the United States, threatening families along the Gulf Coast with potentially damaging winds and torrential rain, the American Red Cross is launching a national fundraising campaign to raise an initial $100 million to fill a Disaster Relief Fund depleted after an active year of disasters.
The Disaster Relief Fund allows the Red Cross to provide emergency assistance to help victims of disasters meet their immediate needs for food, shelter, counseling and other critical services. The Red Cross responds to 70,000 disasters each year - the majority of them "silent" disasters never making the news. After tragedy strikes, the Red Cross relies on this fund to mobilize volunteers and resources to help communities throughout the United States.
"The Red Cross is always there when disaster strikes, but this year has been an active disaster year and the cost of providing relief has rapidly outpaced contributions," said Gail McGovern, American Red Cross President and CEO. "We sheltered more people during the first nights of Hurricane Gustav than the first days of Katrina. While the media has packed up and moved on, we are still there helping a large number of people."
"The American people have always responded generously to support their neighbors during their time of need, and I urge all Americans to join together and make a contribution to the Disaster Relief Fund today. No matter how small, every donation can change a life."
The Red Cross is taking many steps to reduce its disaster response costs including consolidating warehouse space, using technology to further automate its casework process and placing a greater emphasis on deploying local volunteers and leveraging community partner resources.
Since January 2008, Red Cross volunteers have responded to thousands of house fires and more than 60 large-scale disasters -including a record number of tornadoes, the worst flooding in the Midwest in 15 years, an early wildfire season and an active hurricane season that is not over yet. Expenses for Hurricane Gustav alone are estimated in the $40M - $70M dollar range for the Red Cross and the organization has only raised a fraction of what is needed to support affected families.
As the Red Cross continues helping individuals and families battered by the 2008 storms and hurricanes: Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gustav and Hanna, it is also actively preparing to respond to Hurricane Ike by mobilizing trained volunteers and pre-positioning disaster supplies.
In the interim, the Red Cross is borrowing money to cover the costs of the hurricanes of 2008. Despite this, the Red Cross has not cut any of its services to disaster victims and does not expect to do so.
While the organization is initially striving to raise $100 million to help those in need, the Red Cross is in the midst of both hurricane and wildfire season and does not know what the future will bring.
You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Hurricanes of 2008, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. You can log-on to redcrossor call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) to make a donation. You can also use your cell phone to donate $5 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund by text messaging the keyword "GIVE" to "2HELP" (24357). You can send multiple donations depending on your carrier. Contributions will appear on monthly bills or be debited from a prepaid account balance. All applicable text rates apply.
About the American Red Cross
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Hurricanes of 2008, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC20013.
American Red Cross
The Disaster Relief Fund allows the Red Cross to provide emergency assistance to help victims of disasters meet their immediate needs for food, shelter, counseling and other critical services. The Red Cross responds to 70,000 disasters each year - the majority of them "silent" disasters never making the news. After tragedy strikes, the Red Cross relies on this fund to mobilize volunteers and resources to help communities throughout the United States.
"The Red Cross is always there when disaster strikes, but this year has been an active disaster year and the cost of providing relief has rapidly outpaced contributions," said Gail McGovern, American Red Cross President and CEO. "We sheltered more people during the first nights of Hurricane Gustav than the first days of Katrina. While the media has packed up and moved on, we are still there helping a large number of people."
"The American people have always responded generously to support their neighbors during their time of need, and I urge all Americans to join together and make a contribution to the Disaster Relief Fund today. No matter how small, every donation can change a life."
The Red Cross is taking many steps to reduce its disaster response costs including consolidating warehouse space, using technology to further automate its casework process and placing a greater emphasis on deploying local volunteers and leveraging community partner resources.
Since January 2008, Red Cross volunteers have responded to thousands of house fires and more than 60 large-scale disasters -including a record number of tornadoes, the worst flooding in the Midwest in 15 years, an early wildfire season and an active hurricane season that is not over yet. Expenses for Hurricane Gustav alone are estimated in the $40M - $70M dollar range for the Red Cross and the organization has only raised a fraction of what is needed to support affected families.
As the Red Cross continues helping individuals and families battered by the 2008 storms and hurricanes: Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gustav and Hanna, it is also actively preparing to respond to Hurricane Ike by mobilizing trained volunteers and pre-positioning disaster supplies.
In the interim, the Red Cross is borrowing money to cover the costs of the hurricanes of 2008. Despite this, the Red Cross has not cut any of its services to disaster victims and does not expect to do so.
While the organization is initially striving to raise $100 million to help those in need, the Red Cross is in the midst of both hurricane and wildfire season and does not know what the future will bring.
You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Hurricanes of 2008, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. You can log-on to redcrossor call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) to make a donation. You can also use your cell phone to donate $5 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund by text messaging the keyword "GIVE" to "2HELP" (24357). You can send multiple donations depending on your carrier. Contributions will appear on monthly bills or be debited from a prepaid account balance. All applicable text rates apply.
About the American Red Cross
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Hurricanes of 2008, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC20013.
American Red Cross
WFP Launches Helicopter Relief Operation To Feed More Pakistan Flood Victims
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has today
launched a major airlift, using helicopters to boost its ongoing relief
operation and bring desperately needed food to people cut off by the
devastating floods in northern Pakistan.
The Pakistan government has offered WFP the use of six helicopters to
transport food to tens of thousands of hungry and desperate people in
isolated communities across the Swat Valley.
A WFP team has been in the Swat Valley identifying safe locations for the
helicopters to land. WFP and its international and national NGO partners
will carry out distributions of ready-to-eat foods for infants and young
children, high energy biscuits and wheat flour, to WFP-identified
beneficiaries.
The first three missions to the town of Kalam took place on Thursday
morning, carrying a total of 7 metric tons of food - sufficient to feed
2,500 people for one week.
"In this scene of devastation, with roads cut and bridges washed away,
these helicopters are literally life-savers as they are the only way to get
vital food supplies to many thousands of hungry and desperate people," said
WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran.
WFP began food distributions on Sunday in the worst-affected areas of
Peshawar, Mardan, Charsadda and Nowshera and by Wednesday evening had
provided rations for nearly 155,000 people.
WFP is currently conducting food needs assessments in five of the
worst-hit areas, and will move into additional areas as they become
accessible. First indications are that around 1.8 million people across the
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province are in need of food assistance.
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.
Each year, on average, WFP feeds more than 90 million people in more than
70 countries.
Source:
WFP
launched a major airlift, using helicopters to boost its ongoing relief
operation and bring desperately needed food to people cut off by the
devastating floods in northern Pakistan.
The Pakistan government has offered WFP the use of six helicopters to
transport food to tens of thousands of hungry and desperate people in
isolated communities across the Swat Valley.
A WFP team has been in the Swat Valley identifying safe locations for the
helicopters to land. WFP and its international and national NGO partners
will carry out distributions of ready-to-eat foods for infants and young
children, high energy biscuits and wheat flour, to WFP-identified
beneficiaries.
The first three missions to the town of Kalam took place on Thursday
morning, carrying a total of 7 metric tons of food - sufficient to feed
2,500 people for one week.
"In this scene of devastation, with roads cut and bridges washed away,
these helicopters are literally life-savers as they are the only way to get
vital food supplies to many thousands of hungry and desperate people," said
WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran.
WFP began food distributions on Sunday in the worst-affected areas of
Peshawar, Mardan, Charsadda and Nowshera and by Wednesday evening had
provided rations for nearly 155,000 people.
WFP is currently conducting food needs assessments in five of the
worst-hit areas, and will move into additional areas as they become
accessible. First indications are that around 1.8 million people across the
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province are in need of food assistance.
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.
Each year, on average, WFP feeds more than 90 million people in more than
70 countries.
Source:
WFP
суббота, 28 мая 2011 г.
WFP And NGOs Warn Of Looming Food Crisis Facing 2 Million Flood Victims In Burundi
The United Nations World Food Programme and non-governmental
organisations have warned that two million people hit by recent floods in
Burundi need urgent assistance until June to avert a food crisis. This
follows last week's joint appeal for 132 million USdollars by UN agencies and NGOs
for their work in Burundi during 2007.
An assessment in January led by WFP and the UN Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) found that heavy rains and floods had destroyed 50-80
percent of the November harvest and much of January's harvest of beans,
sweet potatoes, maize, sorghum and rice across large parts of the country.
The assessment found increasing use of survival strategies with some people
cutting down to one meal a day and resorting to 'famine foods', such as
cassava leaves or bitter banana. Mortgages of fields, the sale of assets
and people being forced to leave their homes are worrying signs of an
impending major food crisis.
The late arrival of rains at the end of last year combined with cassava
disease and recent floods have had a devastating effect on the food stocks
of the poorest families in Burundi.
"All these elements are signs of a looming food crisis," said Gerard Van
Dijk, WFP Country Director in Burundi. "If we do not bring urgent help to
the most vulnerable, the consequences could be devastating for the recovery
of a country still weakened by 13 years of civil war."
Two million people are 25 percent of the country's entire population.. As
part of the UN-NGO joint appeal, WFP urgently needs US$12 million to cover
food aid requirements in Burundi until July.
Burundi's president has declared seven of the country's 17 provinces as
disaster areas because of the damage caused by flooding.
Due to a shortage of food stocks, WFP and its NGO partner, CARE, delivered
reduced food rations to 400,000 people, most of them affected by the
floods. WFP also had to cut rations by 25 percent for refugees, returnees,
Burundians expelled from Tanzania and children in its school feeding
programme.
"The floods have hit the country at the worst possible time; although peace
prevails, living conditions remain extremely difficult, with most
Burundians having to focus on just meeting their basic daily needs," said
Van Dijk.
"Given how long it takes to get food aid and other assistance to Burundi,
we have no time to waste; we need international support now in order to
help people until June."
In the most affected areas in the north and centre of the country, the
traditional 'lean season' (when food from the last harvest runs out) began
in September 2006 and will last until the end of June 2007, when the next
harvest is due.
Burundi is still emerging from 13 years of civil war that killed more than
300,000 people and displaced more than one million in the region.
WFP's NGO partners in Burundi as part of the recent UN appeal are:
Solidarites, World Vision, CARE, German Agro-Action, Caritas Burundi,
International Medical Corps and Catholic Relief Services.
The top five contributors to WFP's regular operations in Burundi so far in
2007 are: The European Union (ECHO) which has earmarked US$ 5.2 million,
the United States (US$ 2 million), Canada (US$ 1.5 million), Belgium (US$
1.4 million), Ireland (US$ 657,000) and Norway (US$ 206,000).
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency: each year, we give food to
an average of 90 million poor people to meet their nutritional needs,
including 58 million hungry children, in at least 80 of the world's poorest
countries.
WFP Global School Feeding Campaign - For just 19 US cents a day, you can
help WFP give children in poor countries a healthy meal at school - a gift
of hope for a brighter future.
For further information please go to:
World Heart Federation
organisations have warned that two million people hit by recent floods in
Burundi need urgent assistance until June to avert a food crisis. This
follows last week's joint appeal for 132 million USdollars by UN agencies and NGOs
for their work in Burundi during 2007.
An assessment in January led by WFP and the UN Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) found that heavy rains and floods had destroyed 50-80
percent of the November harvest and much of January's harvest of beans,
sweet potatoes, maize, sorghum and rice across large parts of the country.
The assessment found increasing use of survival strategies with some people
cutting down to one meal a day and resorting to 'famine foods', such as
cassava leaves or bitter banana. Mortgages of fields, the sale of assets
and people being forced to leave their homes are worrying signs of an
impending major food crisis.
The late arrival of rains at the end of last year combined with cassava
disease and recent floods have had a devastating effect on the food stocks
of the poorest families in Burundi.
"All these elements are signs of a looming food crisis," said Gerard Van
Dijk, WFP Country Director in Burundi. "If we do not bring urgent help to
the most vulnerable, the consequences could be devastating for the recovery
of a country still weakened by 13 years of civil war."
Two million people are 25 percent of the country's entire population.. As
part of the UN-NGO joint appeal, WFP urgently needs US$12 million to cover
food aid requirements in Burundi until July.
Burundi's president has declared seven of the country's 17 provinces as
disaster areas because of the damage caused by flooding.
Due to a shortage of food stocks, WFP and its NGO partner, CARE, delivered
reduced food rations to 400,000 people, most of them affected by the
floods. WFP also had to cut rations by 25 percent for refugees, returnees,
Burundians expelled from Tanzania and children in its school feeding
programme.
"The floods have hit the country at the worst possible time; although peace
prevails, living conditions remain extremely difficult, with most
Burundians having to focus on just meeting their basic daily needs," said
Van Dijk.
"Given how long it takes to get food aid and other assistance to Burundi,
we have no time to waste; we need international support now in order to
help people until June."
In the most affected areas in the north and centre of the country, the
traditional 'lean season' (when food from the last harvest runs out) began
in September 2006 and will last until the end of June 2007, when the next
harvest is due.
Burundi is still emerging from 13 years of civil war that killed more than
300,000 people and displaced more than one million in the region.
WFP's NGO partners in Burundi as part of the recent UN appeal are:
Solidarites, World Vision, CARE, German Agro-Action, Caritas Burundi,
International Medical Corps and Catholic Relief Services.
The top five contributors to WFP's regular operations in Burundi so far in
2007 are: The European Union (ECHO) which has earmarked US$ 5.2 million,
the United States (US$ 2 million), Canada (US$ 1.5 million), Belgium (US$
1.4 million), Ireland (US$ 657,000) and Norway (US$ 206,000).
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency: each year, we give food to
an average of 90 million poor people to meet their nutritional needs,
including 58 million hungry children, in at least 80 of the world's poorest
countries.
WFP Global School Feeding Campaign - For just 19 US cents a day, you can
help WFP give children in poor countries a healthy meal at school - a gift
of hope for a brighter future.
For further information please go to:
World Heart Federation
пятница, 27 мая 2011 г.
UNICEF Assists In Disseminating Cholera Prevention Information In Haiti
In addition to providing medical supplies, UNICEF is assisting government and humanitarian aid partners in carrying out cholera information and training sessions with health care workers and hygiene promoters so they are better prepared to raise public awareness in the capital of Port-au-Prince.
UNICEF is also supporting cholera awareness and hygiene promotion activities in schools and IDP camps and through mass media in Port-au-Prince and areas surrounding the Artibonite River, where the majority of cholera cases have originated.
The messages will help familiarize the public with the precautions they can take to protect themselves from contracting the disease. The messages encourage sanitation measures, such as washing hands with soap before handling food and after using the latrine, drinking only clean, chlorinated or boiled water and keeping away from those affected by the cholera outbreak. Additional messages address the need for proper disposal of human excrement and garbage and eating only cooked or peeled food.
The Haitian Ministry of Health yesterday reported that hospitalizations due to cholera totalled
4,649. The departments with confirmed cases are: Artibonite (76.5 per cent), Central (22.9 per cent). The ministry lists the total number of deaths due to cholera now as 305.
"We are increasing our response activities in affected areas using several approaches," says Jean-Claude Mubalama, Health Section Head for UNICEF Haiti. "We are working with the Government of Haiti and UN and NGO partners to address current medical and community needs, bringing in more medical and non-medical supplies, and assisting in increasing public awareness about precautions they can take to protect themselves from the disease."
UNICEF has distributed medical supplies to three towns (Drouin, Dessalines, and St Michel de l'Attalaye) in Artibonite. Approximately 10,000 sachets of oral rehydration salts are being brought to each affected area. A basic health kit for the town's health centre in Drouin, and a diarrhoea kit capable of treating 100 patients in St Michel de l'Attalaye have been distributed.
"In close collaboration with our UN and NGO partners, we are actively supporting the Ministry of Health in preventing the disease from spreading further," said Mubalama. "If the disease spreads to Port-au-Prince we will have a big problem, especially considering the living conditions in the IDP camps."
UNICEF is working with the Ministry of Health in developing a plan of action in case the disease surfaces in IDP camps in Port-au-Prince. The plan would address the need to isolate cholera cases from other medical cases.
As part of preparations in Port-au-Prince, UNICEF is assisting in setting up three cholera treatment centres. These are in addition to three cholera treatment centres being established in Artibonite.
Cholera is a highly infectious abdominal disease that spreads through contact with contaminated water or food. Symptoms include severe and profuse watery diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pains. If not treated, patients can die from severe dehydration. The disease can be prevented by proper hygiene and sanitation practices, including regular hand washing and the provision and use of safe drinking water.
Source:
UNICEF
UNICEF is also supporting cholera awareness and hygiene promotion activities in schools and IDP camps and through mass media in Port-au-Prince and areas surrounding the Artibonite River, where the majority of cholera cases have originated.
The messages will help familiarize the public with the precautions they can take to protect themselves from contracting the disease. The messages encourage sanitation measures, such as washing hands with soap before handling food and after using the latrine, drinking only clean, chlorinated or boiled water and keeping away from those affected by the cholera outbreak. Additional messages address the need for proper disposal of human excrement and garbage and eating only cooked or peeled food.
The Haitian Ministry of Health yesterday reported that hospitalizations due to cholera totalled
4,649. The departments with confirmed cases are: Artibonite (76.5 per cent), Central (22.9 per cent). The ministry lists the total number of deaths due to cholera now as 305.
"We are increasing our response activities in affected areas using several approaches," says Jean-Claude Mubalama, Health Section Head for UNICEF Haiti. "We are working with the Government of Haiti and UN and NGO partners to address current medical and community needs, bringing in more medical and non-medical supplies, and assisting in increasing public awareness about precautions they can take to protect themselves from the disease."
UNICEF has distributed medical supplies to three towns (Drouin, Dessalines, and St Michel de l'Attalaye) in Artibonite. Approximately 10,000 sachets of oral rehydration salts are being brought to each affected area. A basic health kit for the town's health centre in Drouin, and a diarrhoea kit capable of treating 100 patients in St Michel de l'Attalaye have been distributed.
"In close collaboration with our UN and NGO partners, we are actively supporting the Ministry of Health in preventing the disease from spreading further," said Mubalama. "If the disease spreads to Port-au-Prince we will have a big problem, especially considering the living conditions in the IDP camps."
UNICEF is working with the Ministry of Health in developing a plan of action in case the disease surfaces in IDP camps in Port-au-Prince. The plan would address the need to isolate cholera cases from other medical cases.
As part of preparations in Port-au-Prince, UNICEF is assisting in setting up three cholera treatment centres. These are in addition to three cholera treatment centres being established in Artibonite.
Cholera is a highly infectious abdominal disease that spreads through contact with contaminated water or food. Symptoms include severe and profuse watery diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pains. If not treated, patients can die from severe dehydration. The disease can be prevented by proper hygiene and sanitation practices, including regular hand washing and the provision and use of safe drinking water.
Source:
UNICEF
четверг, 26 мая 2011 г.
Ensuring Seniors Are Safe And Secure During Emergencies
Planning for emergencies must take into account the growing numbers of frail elderly people who will by virtue of shifting demographics be involved in any natural or manmade disaster, according to US researchers writing in the International Journal of Emergency Management.
As the world's population grows and more individuals are living into their 70s, 80s, and 90s, those charged with managing people, resources, and medical care during and after an emergency, whether heat wave, flood, fire, earthquake, or other disaster, will face increasing challenges in addressing the needs of frail elderly people at such times.
Susan Smith and colleagues at the University of Tennessee Safety Center in Knoxville, working with Mary Jane Tremethick at Northern Michigan University, expose the factors affecting the frail elderly during and after an emergency and propose strategies to minimize the impact on this vulnerable group of people.
In 2008, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that it should be a primary goal of emergency management teams to support older people in an emergency, to minimize harm, and to help them maintain the highest possible level of health and functional capacity and to aid them in recovering from a disaster as quickly as possible.
Smith and her colleagues suggest that, in the light of the WHO's statement, rapid response to a crisis must extend beyond the traditional emergency response personnel. In short "age-responsive" actions must be identified and integrated into risk assessments and disaster response plans. They cite recent examples of heat waves in France, Greece, and the USA, and the US 2005 hurricane season, where such an approach may have reduced considerably the number of deaths among the elderly.
The first point that they address is how to define someone as frail elderly and so more at risk than a healthy younger person. "The term 'frail elderly' refers to adults over the age of 60 suffering from the effects of physical, mental, and sensory deterioration due to age and chronic diseases," the team explains. The frail elderly may therefore be severely affected in their ability to recognize and respond to a disaster. The definition must also encompass the fact that many frail elderly people economically poor or socially isolated and so at even greater risk during and after an emergency situation.
Fundamentally, factors such as declining health and increased chronic diseases, limitations in sight, hearing and mobility, limited access to healthcare resources, low economic status, and restricted social networks, all shift the risk a person faces in an emergency.
"The unique needs of the frail elderly were cited for disaster warnings, evacuation plans, and shelter locations," Smith and colleagues say, "Through collaboration with community organizations and members, emergency professionals, can exercise leadership to improve disaster response for the vulnerable population of the frail elderly," the teams says. They suggest that future research aimed at documenting the most successful organizational methods of providing a community, country and global response and recovery with respect to the frail elderly should be carried out.
"Disaster planning and response: considering the needs of the frail elderly" in Int. J. Emergency Management, 2009, 6, 1-13
Source:
Susan Smith
Inderscience Publishers
As the world's population grows and more individuals are living into their 70s, 80s, and 90s, those charged with managing people, resources, and medical care during and after an emergency, whether heat wave, flood, fire, earthquake, or other disaster, will face increasing challenges in addressing the needs of frail elderly people at such times.
Susan Smith and colleagues at the University of Tennessee Safety Center in Knoxville, working with Mary Jane Tremethick at Northern Michigan University, expose the factors affecting the frail elderly during and after an emergency and propose strategies to minimize the impact on this vulnerable group of people.
In 2008, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that it should be a primary goal of emergency management teams to support older people in an emergency, to minimize harm, and to help them maintain the highest possible level of health and functional capacity and to aid them in recovering from a disaster as quickly as possible.
Smith and her colleagues suggest that, in the light of the WHO's statement, rapid response to a crisis must extend beyond the traditional emergency response personnel. In short "age-responsive" actions must be identified and integrated into risk assessments and disaster response plans. They cite recent examples of heat waves in France, Greece, and the USA, and the US 2005 hurricane season, where such an approach may have reduced considerably the number of deaths among the elderly.
The first point that they address is how to define someone as frail elderly and so more at risk than a healthy younger person. "The term 'frail elderly' refers to adults over the age of 60 suffering from the effects of physical, mental, and sensory deterioration due to age and chronic diseases," the team explains. The frail elderly may therefore be severely affected in their ability to recognize and respond to a disaster. The definition must also encompass the fact that many frail elderly people economically poor or socially isolated and so at even greater risk during and after an emergency situation.
Fundamentally, factors such as declining health and increased chronic diseases, limitations in sight, hearing and mobility, limited access to healthcare resources, low economic status, and restricted social networks, all shift the risk a person faces in an emergency.
"The unique needs of the frail elderly were cited for disaster warnings, evacuation plans, and shelter locations," Smith and colleagues say, "Through collaboration with community organizations and members, emergency professionals, can exercise leadership to improve disaster response for the vulnerable population of the frail elderly," the teams says. They suggest that future research aimed at documenting the most successful organizational methods of providing a community, country and global response and recovery with respect to the frail elderly should be carried out.
"Disaster planning and response: considering the needs of the frail elderly" in Int. J. Emergency Management, 2009, 6, 1-13
Source:
Susan Smith
Inderscience Publishers
Sodexo Recognized For Actions In The Fight Against Hunger And Malnutrition Around The World
Sodexo (PARIS:SW) (OTCBB:SDXAY), a world leader in Quality of Daily Life Solutions, was honored for its longstanding commitment in the fight against hunger around the world by Bread for the World, an association created in 1972 in the United States to end global hunger and by The Alliance to End Hunger, an association founded in 2001, working in partnership with Bread for the Word to bring stakeholders together in the fight against hunger. World Food Prize laureate and Bread for the World president David Beckmann presented Sodexo with the first President's Award in recognition of the many initiatives that Sodexo leads, supports and embraces in the fight against hunger through its STOP Hunger initiative.
STOP Hunger: a long term commitment to fight against hunger and malnutrition
Sodexo's STOP Hunger initiative mobilizes its 380,000 employees around the world to work in their communities and engage with local partners to help the one billion people who suffer from hunger and malnutrition. Launched in 1996 by CEO Michel Landel (then the CEO of Sodexo North America), STOP Hunger programs are currently active in 39 Sodexo host countries on six continents in all of Sodexo's client segments: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, UK, and US.
Hunger relief activities are focused on volunteering, sharing Sodexo knowledge (including providing healthy eating information and healthy recipes, training hunger relief workers on food safety and providing pro bono services such as legal, accounting, or marketing assistance), and making food and financial donations.
The recognition from Bread for the World and Alliance to End Hunger is among several awards received by six Sodexo host countries for their STOP Hunger efforts in the last year, including:
- Belgium, where Sodexo was awarded a Solidartest® Champion, in recognition of its commitment to improving local communities, in particular through a partnership with the Red Cross as part of their STOP Hunger program. Employees serve meals, provide education nutrition, and fundraise for the organization.
- Russia, where the STOP Hunger program was recognized as "the best program to help develop a charitable culture in society" from the business daily Vedomosti, in partnership with PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Donors Forum and the Public Chamber of Russia. Sodexo Russia engages employees, customers, clients, and suppliers in the fight against hunger through efforts that include food and equipment donations, cooking workshops, and fundraising, fully embracing the award category that sought to find the most efficient company practices to engage new participants.
- Peru, where Sodexo received the Lean Supplier Award from Minera Barrick, first place recognition from the mining company in its social responsibility category. The prize was specifically awarded for their STOP Hunger program which develops activities such as nutrition and food safety education workshops in the area of influence of Barrick.
- The United States, where Sodexo received the Outstanding Food Donor Award from Food Lifeline, Washington state's largest hunger relief organization. The award recognized Sodexo's leadership in a partnership that brings together farmers, food processors, food distributors, and food service companies to end hunger in the Pacific Northwest. Sodexo co-chairs the partnership which has donated more than 1,339 tons of food to those in need since 2008. In addition, the Philabundance Community Kitchen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the region's largest hunger relief association, recognized Sodexo for the unwavering support it has provided the organization for more than 10 years, including providing culinary job training to unemployed individuals, donating food, and contributing financial support.
Sodexo's STOP Hunger initiative is part of its Better Tomorrow Plan, a worldwide sustainability roadmap with priority commitments for nutrition, health, and wellness, local communities, and the environment. Over the last year, Sodexo teams in 39 of its host countries have partnered with more than 270 hunger relief organizations to participate in 422 major programs working to end hunger. Sodexo is working to extend its STOP Hunger activities to all 80 of its host countries.
Source:
Sodexo
STOP Hunger: a long term commitment to fight against hunger and malnutrition
Sodexo's STOP Hunger initiative mobilizes its 380,000 employees around the world to work in their communities and engage with local partners to help the one billion people who suffer from hunger and malnutrition. Launched in 1996 by CEO Michel Landel (then the CEO of Sodexo North America), STOP Hunger programs are currently active in 39 Sodexo host countries on six continents in all of Sodexo's client segments: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, UK, and US.
Hunger relief activities are focused on volunteering, sharing Sodexo knowledge (including providing healthy eating information and healthy recipes, training hunger relief workers on food safety and providing pro bono services such as legal, accounting, or marketing assistance), and making food and financial donations.
The recognition from Bread for the World and Alliance to End Hunger is among several awards received by six Sodexo host countries for their STOP Hunger efforts in the last year, including:
- Belgium, where Sodexo was awarded a Solidartest® Champion, in recognition of its commitment to improving local communities, in particular through a partnership with the Red Cross as part of their STOP Hunger program. Employees serve meals, provide education nutrition, and fundraise for the organization.
- Russia, where the STOP Hunger program was recognized as "the best program to help develop a charitable culture in society" from the business daily Vedomosti, in partnership with PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Donors Forum and the Public Chamber of Russia. Sodexo Russia engages employees, customers, clients, and suppliers in the fight against hunger through efforts that include food and equipment donations, cooking workshops, and fundraising, fully embracing the award category that sought to find the most efficient company practices to engage new participants.
- Peru, where Sodexo received the Lean Supplier Award from Minera Barrick, first place recognition from the mining company in its social responsibility category. The prize was specifically awarded for their STOP Hunger program which develops activities such as nutrition and food safety education workshops in the area of influence of Barrick.
- The United States, where Sodexo received the Outstanding Food Donor Award from Food Lifeline, Washington state's largest hunger relief organization. The award recognized Sodexo's leadership in a partnership that brings together farmers, food processors, food distributors, and food service companies to end hunger in the Pacific Northwest. Sodexo co-chairs the partnership which has donated more than 1,339 tons of food to those in need since 2008. In addition, the Philabundance Community Kitchen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the region's largest hunger relief association, recognized Sodexo for the unwavering support it has provided the organization for more than 10 years, including providing culinary job training to unemployed individuals, donating food, and contributing financial support.
Sodexo's STOP Hunger initiative is part of its Better Tomorrow Plan, a worldwide sustainability roadmap with priority commitments for nutrition, health, and wellness, local communities, and the environment. Over the last year, Sodexo teams in 39 of its host countries have partnered with more than 270 hunger relief organizations to participate in 422 major programs working to end hunger. Sodexo is working to extend its STOP Hunger activities to all 80 of its host countries.
Source:
Sodexo
среда, 25 мая 2011 г.
Red Cross President Visits Flooded Regions In Mexico
The President of the American Red Cross saw first hand the devastation in the flooded regions of Southern Mexico. At the invitation of the Mexican Red Cross President, he was invited to observe relief efforts for the people of the state of Tabasco. The President of the Mexican Red Cross and the Governor of the State of Tabasco accompanied Everson on the tour of the devastation.
"It's as if 70 percent of the state of Vermont was under water. You just see treelines where the roads should be," said Mark W. Everson, President of the American Red Cross. "The waters are receding slowly, tens of thousands of people will need significant long term relief, and we're prepared to help the Mexican Red Cross with this effort."
Even though the rescue phase is complete, 70 percent of the state of Tabasco is still flooded, and the waters are not expected to recede for another 2-3 weeks. The efforts of the Red Cross response are now focusing on providing food, drinking water and supporting shelters to help people stay healthy and provide a roof over their head until they can return to their homes.
"We need each other," said Daniel Goni Diaz, President of the Mexican Red Cross regarding the American Red Cross and the Mexican Red Cross. "When the American Red Cross needed help with the wildfires in Southern California, we came. And, when we asked for American Red Cross assistance to respond to these floods, you came."
The American Red Cross is responding to the emergency relief efforts of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Mexican Red Cross by providing more than $500,000 in financial assistance and supplies. This includes $250,000 in partnership with USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance. The American Red Cross is also supporting a Spanish speaking international relief worker and is weighing additional response options.
"The American people have responded generously to this tragedy, and my visit to Tabasco is evidence of their support, and builds on the close relationship between the American Red Cross and the Mexican Red Cross," said Everson. "Also, I'm glad the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico is here to show the strong U.S. government support for our neighbors in Mexico."
The American Red Cross and the Mexican Red Cross have a rich history of helping each other during times of disaster. During the recent wildfires in Southern California, the Mexican Red Cross sent ten trained workers to assist the American Red Cross in reaching out to the Spanish speaking community. Following Hurricane Dean, the American Red Cross provided financial assistance to the Mexican Red Cross through USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) and sent a relief worker to Mexico to support emergency operations. Furthermore, this partnership worked successfully during the American Red Cross response to Hurricane Katrina when the Mexican Red Cross sent 20 relief workers to assist our response.
Said the Governor of the State of Tabasco, Andres Rafael Granier Melo, "The Red Cross saved my life when I was 14 years old, they picked me up in the streets for an accident I had and I have always wanted to help the Red Cross. Everyone here in Tabasco knows the Red Cross, everyone knows someone who has been helped by the Red Cross. A lot of people are thankful to the Red Cross because of their assistance."
"This is a neighbor in need and you always reach out to neighbors in need -- it's a basic humanitarian concept," said Everson. "The Mexican Red Cross just helped us with the wildfires in Southern California. Now, it's our time to help them."
Red Cross pictures of the flooded area can be found here.
You can help those affected by countless crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. Call 1-800-RED CROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the International Response Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting redcross. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation.
redcross
"It's as if 70 percent of the state of Vermont was under water. You just see treelines where the roads should be," said Mark W. Everson, President of the American Red Cross. "The waters are receding slowly, tens of thousands of people will need significant long term relief, and we're prepared to help the Mexican Red Cross with this effort."
Even though the rescue phase is complete, 70 percent of the state of Tabasco is still flooded, and the waters are not expected to recede for another 2-3 weeks. The efforts of the Red Cross response are now focusing on providing food, drinking water and supporting shelters to help people stay healthy and provide a roof over their head until they can return to their homes.
"We need each other," said Daniel Goni Diaz, President of the Mexican Red Cross regarding the American Red Cross and the Mexican Red Cross. "When the American Red Cross needed help with the wildfires in Southern California, we came. And, when we asked for American Red Cross assistance to respond to these floods, you came."
The American Red Cross is responding to the emergency relief efforts of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Mexican Red Cross by providing more than $500,000 in financial assistance and supplies. This includes $250,000 in partnership with USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance. The American Red Cross is also supporting a Spanish speaking international relief worker and is weighing additional response options.
"The American people have responded generously to this tragedy, and my visit to Tabasco is evidence of their support, and builds on the close relationship between the American Red Cross and the Mexican Red Cross," said Everson. "Also, I'm glad the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico is here to show the strong U.S. government support for our neighbors in Mexico."
The American Red Cross and the Mexican Red Cross have a rich history of helping each other during times of disaster. During the recent wildfires in Southern California, the Mexican Red Cross sent ten trained workers to assist the American Red Cross in reaching out to the Spanish speaking community. Following Hurricane Dean, the American Red Cross provided financial assistance to the Mexican Red Cross through USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) and sent a relief worker to Mexico to support emergency operations. Furthermore, this partnership worked successfully during the American Red Cross response to Hurricane Katrina when the Mexican Red Cross sent 20 relief workers to assist our response.
Said the Governor of the State of Tabasco, Andres Rafael Granier Melo, "The Red Cross saved my life when I was 14 years old, they picked me up in the streets for an accident I had and I have always wanted to help the Red Cross. Everyone here in Tabasco knows the Red Cross, everyone knows someone who has been helped by the Red Cross. A lot of people are thankful to the Red Cross because of their assistance."
"This is a neighbor in need and you always reach out to neighbors in need -- it's a basic humanitarian concept," said Everson. "The Mexican Red Cross just helped us with the wildfires in Southern California. Now, it's our time to help them."
Red Cross pictures of the flooded area can be found here.
You can help those affected by countless crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. Call 1-800-RED CROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the International Response Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting redcross. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation.
redcross
вторник, 24 мая 2011 г.
Counseling Help Line Available For People In Minnesota And Iowa Hit By Tornadoes
OptumHealth announced that it is providing a free help line to people in Minnesota and Iowa who are trying to cope with the emotional consequences of the recent tornadoes that hit the region. Staffed by experienced master's-level behavioral health specialists, the free help line offers assistance to callers seeking help in dealing with stress, anxiety and the grieving process. Callers may also receive referrals to a database of community resources to help them with specific concerns, such as financial and legal issues.
The toll-free help line number is (800) 689-5703. It will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for as long as necessary. Service is free of charge. Resources and information are also available via the Internet at liveandworkwell.
Previously, OptumHealth's help line assisted individuals free of charge following tornadoes in the South and Midwest, floods in Indiana, wildfires in Southern California, hurricanes in Florida and the Gulf Coast, and the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis.
Such help line services are routinely available to members of UnitedHealthcare courtesy of OptumHealth, the health and wellness business of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH). OptumHealth serves customers of its sister companies - such as UnitedHealthcare - as well as customers of non-UnitedHealth Group businesses.
More About OptumHealth
OptumHealth helps individuals navigate the health care system, finance their health care needs and achieve their health and well being goals. The company's personalized health advocacy and engagement programs tap a unique combination of capabilities that encompass care solutions, behavioral solutions, specialty benefits and financial services. Serving more than 61 million people, OptumHealth is the nation's largest health and wellness company.
OptumHealth
The toll-free help line number is (800) 689-5703. It will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for as long as necessary. Service is free of charge. Resources and information are also available via the Internet at liveandworkwell.
Previously, OptumHealth's help line assisted individuals free of charge following tornadoes in the South and Midwest, floods in Indiana, wildfires in Southern California, hurricanes in Florida and the Gulf Coast, and the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis.
Such help line services are routinely available to members of UnitedHealthcare courtesy of OptumHealth, the health and wellness business of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH). OptumHealth serves customers of its sister companies - such as UnitedHealthcare - as well as customers of non-UnitedHealth Group businesses.
More About OptumHealth
OptumHealth helps individuals navigate the health care system, finance their health care needs and achieve their health and well being goals. The company's personalized health advocacy and engagement programs tap a unique combination of capabilities that encompass care solutions, behavioral solutions, specialty benefits and financial services. Serving more than 61 million people, OptumHealth is the nation's largest health and wellness company.
OptumHealth
понедельник, 23 мая 2011 г.
American Red Cross Pledges Initial $1 Million To Haiti Relief
The American Red Cross is sending money, supplies and staff to Haiti to support relief efforts there after yesterday's earthquake, which caused catastrophic damage and loss of life.
According to reports, as many as three million people may have been affected by the quake, which collapsed government buildings and caused major damage to hospitals in the area.
The Red Cross is contributing an initial $1 million from the International Response Fund to support the relief operation, and has opened its warehouse in Panama to provide tarps, mosquito nets and cooking sets for approximately 5,000 families.
In addition to Red Cross staff already in Haiti, six disaster management specialists are being deployed to the disaster zone to help coordinate relief efforts. At this time, the American Red Cross is only deploying volunteers specially trained to manage international emergency operations.
There has been an outpouring of support from the public. To help, people can make an unrestricted donation to the International Response Fund at redcross or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767). The public can also help by texting "Haiti" to 90999 to send a $10 donation to the Red Cross, through an effort backed by the U.S. State Department. Funds will go to support American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.
Debris and collapsed bridges are making access to many areas extremely difficult. Telephone service and electricity are out in many places. Haitian Red Cross staff worked throughout the night to rescue people still trapped in their homes and provide first aid. The priority remains to provide food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support.
The American Red Cross already had fifteen staff in Haiti providing ongoing HIV/AIDS prevention and disaster preparedness programs. All are reported to be safe and responding to the disaster.
To date, there have been no requests for blood products from the government of Haiti. However, some patients at an affected facility in Haiti have been moved to a Guantanamo Bay hospital, and the Armed Services Blood Program has asked both the Red Cross and Florida Blood Services for support for those patients. In addition, the American Red Cross will be sending a shipment of blood products to the United Nations Mission in Haiti.
While communication with those in Haiti is still difficult, people should contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 if trying to reach a U.S. citizen living or traveling in Haiti. If trying to reach a Haitian citizen, callers should continue to call or contact other family members who live nearby.
While donations are coming in for Haiti relief, the initial American Red Cross response is made possible in part by contributions from members of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP). The following partners designate a portion of their ADGP commitment to the International Response Fund: American Express, John Deere Foundation, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Morgan Stanley and State Street Foundation.
Source
American Red Cross
According to reports, as many as three million people may have been affected by the quake, which collapsed government buildings and caused major damage to hospitals in the area.
The Red Cross is contributing an initial $1 million from the International Response Fund to support the relief operation, and has opened its warehouse in Panama to provide tarps, mosquito nets and cooking sets for approximately 5,000 families.
In addition to Red Cross staff already in Haiti, six disaster management specialists are being deployed to the disaster zone to help coordinate relief efforts. At this time, the American Red Cross is only deploying volunteers specially trained to manage international emergency operations.
There has been an outpouring of support from the public. To help, people can make an unrestricted donation to the International Response Fund at redcross or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767). The public can also help by texting "Haiti" to 90999 to send a $10 donation to the Red Cross, through an effort backed by the U.S. State Department. Funds will go to support American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.
Debris and collapsed bridges are making access to many areas extremely difficult. Telephone service and electricity are out in many places. Haitian Red Cross staff worked throughout the night to rescue people still trapped in their homes and provide first aid. The priority remains to provide food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support.
The American Red Cross already had fifteen staff in Haiti providing ongoing HIV/AIDS prevention and disaster preparedness programs. All are reported to be safe and responding to the disaster.
To date, there have been no requests for blood products from the government of Haiti. However, some patients at an affected facility in Haiti have been moved to a Guantanamo Bay hospital, and the Armed Services Blood Program has asked both the Red Cross and Florida Blood Services for support for those patients. In addition, the American Red Cross will be sending a shipment of blood products to the United Nations Mission in Haiti.
While communication with those in Haiti is still difficult, people should contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 if trying to reach a U.S. citizen living or traveling in Haiti. If trying to reach a Haitian citizen, callers should continue to call or contact other family members who live nearby.
While donations are coming in for Haiti relief, the initial American Red Cross response is made possible in part by contributions from members of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP). The following partners designate a portion of their ADGP commitment to the International Response Fund: American Express, John Deere Foundation, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Morgan Stanley and State Street Foundation.
Source
American Red Cross
воскресенье, 22 мая 2011 г.
Statement By World Food Programme On Situation In Southern Somalia
Rising threats and attacks on humanitarian operations, as well as the
imposition of a string of unacceptable demands from armed groups, have
made
it virtually impossible for the World Food Programme (WFP) to continue
reaching up to one million people in need in southern Somalia.
WFP's humanitarian operations in southern Somalia have been under
escalating attacks from armed groups, leading to this partial suspension
of
humanitarian food distributions in much of southern Somalia.
WFP is deeply concerned about rising hunger and suffering among the most
vulnerable due to these unprecedented and inhumane attacks on purely
humanitarian operations.
WFP is continuing to provide life saving food distributions in the rest of
the country, including the capital, Mogadishu, reaching more than
two-thirds of the hungry it has been targeting - or 1.8 million people.
In
addition, resources and relief workers are being re-deployed from southern
areas in the event that people start moving away from areas where food
distributions have been suspended.
WFP is an impartial, non-political humanitarian agency that has been
working in partnership with the people of Somalia for more than 40 years,
providing assistance to the poorest of the poor throughout Somalia's years
of conflict and before. The recent pressures on our work from armed
groups
in southern Somalia are impeding our humanitarian mandate.
Even in good years, Somalia is only able to meet 40 per cent of the food
needs of its population through internal production. In the last five
years, local production has averaged only about 30 per cent of food needs
in Somalia. WFP's operation in Somalia is fully funded in the coming
months to reach all the projected beneficiaries.
WFP is working closely with its partners to pre-position supplies and
prepare to provide assistance to any population movements either within
Somalia, or across the country's borders into neighbouring countries.
WFP's offices in Wajid, Buale, Garbahare, Afmadow, Jilib and Belet Weyne
in
southern Somalia are temporarily closed, and food supplies and equipment
have been moved, along with staff, to safer areas in order to ensure that
food assistance continues to reach as many vulnerable people as possible.
Staff safety is a key concern for WFP and recent attacks, threats,
harassment and demands for payments by armed groups have decimated the
humanitarian food lifeline, making it virtually impossible to reach up to
up to one million woman and children and other highly vulnerable people.
Source
World Food Programme
imposition of a string of unacceptable demands from armed groups, have
made
it virtually impossible for the World Food Programme (WFP) to continue
reaching up to one million people in need in southern Somalia.
WFP's humanitarian operations in southern Somalia have been under
escalating attacks from armed groups, leading to this partial suspension
of
humanitarian food distributions in much of southern Somalia.
WFP is deeply concerned about rising hunger and suffering among the most
vulnerable due to these unprecedented and inhumane attacks on purely
humanitarian operations.
WFP is continuing to provide life saving food distributions in the rest of
the country, including the capital, Mogadishu, reaching more than
two-thirds of the hungry it has been targeting - or 1.8 million people.
In
addition, resources and relief workers are being re-deployed from southern
areas in the event that people start moving away from areas where food
distributions have been suspended.
WFP is an impartial, non-political humanitarian agency that has been
working in partnership with the people of Somalia for more than 40 years,
providing assistance to the poorest of the poor throughout Somalia's years
of conflict and before. The recent pressures on our work from armed
groups
in southern Somalia are impeding our humanitarian mandate.
Even in good years, Somalia is only able to meet 40 per cent of the food
needs of its population through internal production. In the last five
years, local production has averaged only about 30 per cent of food needs
in Somalia. WFP's operation in Somalia is fully funded in the coming
months to reach all the projected beneficiaries.
WFP is working closely with its partners to pre-position supplies and
prepare to provide assistance to any population movements either within
Somalia, or across the country's borders into neighbouring countries.
WFP's offices in Wajid, Buale, Garbahare, Afmadow, Jilib and Belet Weyne
in
southern Somalia are temporarily closed, and food supplies and equipment
have been moved, along with staff, to safer areas in order to ensure that
food assistance continues to reach as many vulnerable people as possible.
Staff safety is a key concern for WFP and recent attacks, threats,
harassment and demands for payments by armed groups have decimated the
humanitarian food lifeline, making it virtually impossible to reach up to
up to one million woman and children and other highly vulnerable people.
Source
World Food Programme
суббота, 21 мая 2011 г.
National Ethics Summit To Prioritize Concerns For Medical Triage, Treatment And Safety During Influenza Pandemic, USA
Public health professionals from across the USA will convene July 14-15 in Indianapolis for a national summit on ethical and policy issues faced by public health officials and the medical community while preparing for a large-scale epidemic.
"Confronting the Ethics of Pandemic Influenza Planning: The 2008 Summit of the States" is hosted by the Indiana State Department of Health, the Indiana University Center for Bioethics and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). The summit was paid for with some of the ISDH's preparedness funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
"The purpose of the summit is to identify the key ethical challenges, share best practices and consider possible solutions faced by public health officials and the medical community during an influenza pandemic," said Indiana State Health Commissioner Judy Monroe, M.D. "It is critical for states to work together, in collaboration with the CDC, to address the ethical issues that must be confronted as we all plan for a possible influenza pandemic."
State health officers and other senior public health officials from more than 30 states and territories, as well as experts in law and ethics, will gather at the invitation-only event at the University Place Conference Center and Hotel on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis campus.
Dr. Monroe, who also is president-elect of ASTHO, and co-organizer Eric M. Meslin, Ph.D., director of the Indiana University Center for Bioethics and associate dean for bioethics at the Indiana University School of Medicine, said epidemics on various scales have always been part of the human reality, but with the resources now available providers can be better prepared than ever.
"We know that there are several key issues that all states must address in one way or another - from how to distribute potentially scarce medical supplies to priority decisions about availability of equipment, intensive care beds and methods to slow the spread of disease - that should be identified and addressed before an adverse event would limit the time available to make ethical decisions," said Dr. Meslin. "This summit is designed to help state officials identify these issues and determine how best to tackle them. We hope that by meeting together, these leaders will learn from one another and develop joint strategies."
The two-day summit will combine open plenary sessions and small working groups undertaking the identification of ethical concerns and feasible solutions. A summary of the findings will be released at the conclusion of the summit during a news conference at noon July 15 at the conference center.
Opening remarks will be presented at 8:30 a.m. July 14 by Drs. Monroe and Meslin and David N. Sundwall, M.D., president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.
The summit also will bring to Indianapolis key government leaders in health policy relating to pandemic influenza. Invited speakers include Admiral Joxel Garcia, M.D., assistant secretary of health, and Rear Admiral W. Craig Vanderwagen, M.D., assistant secretary for preparedness and response, both with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Rear Admiral James M. Galloway, M.D., assistant surgeon general, U.S. Public Health Service.
The luncheon speaker will be David Orentlicher, M.D., J.D., the Samuel R. Rosen Professor of Law and co-director of the Hall Center for Law and Health at the Indiana University School of Law, Indianapolis, adjunct associate professor of medicine at the IU School of Medicine, and a member of the Indiana House of Representatives.
The Summit group will reconvene on July 15 and present its findings to the public.
Public Health Representatives Registered to Attend as of July 2, 2008:
Alabama, Alaska, California, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Delaware, District of Columbia, Federated States of Micronesia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, Washington and West Virginia.
IN
IU School of Medicine
"Confronting the Ethics of Pandemic Influenza Planning: The 2008 Summit of the States" is hosted by the Indiana State Department of Health, the Indiana University Center for Bioethics and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). The summit was paid for with some of the ISDH's preparedness funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
"The purpose of the summit is to identify the key ethical challenges, share best practices and consider possible solutions faced by public health officials and the medical community during an influenza pandemic," said Indiana State Health Commissioner Judy Monroe, M.D. "It is critical for states to work together, in collaboration with the CDC, to address the ethical issues that must be confronted as we all plan for a possible influenza pandemic."
State health officers and other senior public health officials from more than 30 states and territories, as well as experts in law and ethics, will gather at the invitation-only event at the University Place Conference Center and Hotel on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis campus.
Dr. Monroe, who also is president-elect of ASTHO, and co-organizer Eric M. Meslin, Ph.D., director of the Indiana University Center for Bioethics and associate dean for bioethics at the Indiana University School of Medicine, said epidemics on various scales have always been part of the human reality, but with the resources now available providers can be better prepared than ever.
"We know that there are several key issues that all states must address in one way or another - from how to distribute potentially scarce medical supplies to priority decisions about availability of equipment, intensive care beds and methods to slow the spread of disease - that should be identified and addressed before an adverse event would limit the time available to make ethical decisions," said Dr. Meslin. "This summit is designed to help state officials identify these issues and determine how best to tackle them. We hope that by meeting together, these leaders will learn from one another and develop joint strategies."
The two-day summit will combine open plenary sessions and small working groups undertaking the identification of ethical concerns and feasible solutions. A summary of the findings will be released at the conclusion of the summit during a news conference at noon July 15 at the conference center.
Opening remarks will be presented at 8:30 a.m. July 14 by Drs. Monroe and Meslin and David N. Sundwall, M.D., president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.
The summit also will bring to Indianapolis key government leaders in health policy relating to pandemic influenza. Invited speakers include Admiral Joxel Garcia, M.D., assistant secretary of health, and Rear Admiral W. Craig Vanderwagen, M.D., assistant secretary for preparedness and response, both with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Rear Admiral James M. Galloway, M.D., assistant surgeon general, U.S. Public Health Service.
The luncheon speaker will be David Orentlicher, M.D., J.D., the Samuel R. Rosen Professor of Law and co-director of the Hall Center for Law and Health at the Indiana University School of Law, Indianapolis, adjunct associate professor of medicine at the IU School of Medicine, and a member of the Indiana House of Representatives.
The Summit group will reconvene on July 15 and present its findings to the public.
Public Health Representatives Registered to Attend as of July 2, 2008:
Alabama, Alaska, California, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Delaware, District of Columbia, Federated States of Micronesia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, Washington and West Virginia.
IN
IU School of Medicine
пятница, 20 мая 2011 г.
RIT Captures Haiti Disaster With High-Tech Imaging System, Five-Day Mission Funded By World Bank
In the aftermath of the Jan. 12 earthquake that struck Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, scientists from Rochester Institute of Technology are sweeping the leveled city with high-tech imaging integrated into a small aircraft.
Funded by the World Bank, and in collaboration with ImageCat Inc., the five-day flight is meticulously mapping the disaster zone to aid in crisis management and eventual reconstruction of the city. The twin engine Piper Navajo, operated by Kucera International, an Ohio-based aerial mapping company, will fly from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, and refuel daily in the Dominican Republic. The plane flies at 3,000 feet over Port-au-Prince and other areas badly hit by the earthquake. The operation began Jan. 21.
RIT is coupling an imaging system it created for the U.S. Forest Service to detect wildfires using high-resolution color imagery and thermal infrared with Kucera's LIDAR topographical sensing system. LIDAR makes precise measurements with laser pulses and complements the other modalities in 3-D layered image maps. RIT scientist Jason Faulring is operating the camera system to survey damage, detect fires, chemical spills and surface contamination on lakes or ponds. George Tatalovich and James Bowers are the pilots flying for Kucera International. Bowers is operating the LIDAR sensor operator.
Recovery crews will use the information in the reconstruction of Haiti. RIT is coordinating closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, the U.S. Geological Survey and non-governmental organizations that want to make use of this unique data set.
Thermal imaging provides relief and recovery agencies with critical insight not available from standard color photography. "You can tell how much liquid is in a storage tank with a thermal camera," says Don McKeown, scientist in RIT's Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science and project manager. "You can make inferences of tanks that are full, tanks that are empty and tanks that are leaking."
The LIDAR capability detects and measures collapsed buildings and standing structures damaged by the earthquake. At the request of the U.S. Geological Survey, Faulring is using LIDAR to map the fault line to estimate how much the earth moved. This information is critical to refinement of earthquake-risk prediction models.
Following each flight, Faulring transfers data from the equipment on the plane to a hard drive. He sends the data back to his colleagues at RIT using Internet access provided by the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) at Mayag??ez with the help of professor Miguel Velez. NYSERNet, a non-profit Internet service provider, temporarily made available an unrestricted Internet2 pipe for the purpose of transferring files from Puerto Rico to Rochester. Brent Bartlett, imaging science staff researcher at RIT, also provided assistance transferring data collected in Haiti.
"This has been a huge team effort between RIT and a host of collaborators," says Jan van Aardt, associate professor of imaging science and director of the Laboratory for Imaging Algorithms and Systems at RIT. The laboratory within RIT's Carlson Center for Imaging Science developed the sensor system and is working closely with RIT's Digital Imaging and Remote Sensing group to explore applications. "If it had not been for this close-knit collaboration between the two teams, we never would have pulled this off," van Aardt adds. "Next steps will include collaborative product development to aid the relief effort."
Scientists and graduate students are working overnight at RIT in the Information Products Laboratory for Emergency Response (IPLER), a partnership between RIT and the University of Buffalo, to process the data and make it available to a worldwide audience. The image maps are posted online on UB's Virtual Disaster Viewer and sent to servers at Google, Yahoo!, Microsoft, United Nations, USGS and ERDAS, a software developer of remote sensing applications.
"The National Science Foundation-sponsored IPLER project, which has as a goal increased flow of knowledge needs between disaster responders, technologists and researchers, has been instrumental in igniting this effort," van Aardt says.
Industry partners reinforced the efficacy of the Information Products Laboratory for Emergency Response. McKeown's suggestion to help in the Haiti crisis management effort met with quick response from Kucera International, which provided the plane and two pilots, and Ron Eguchi from ImageCat Inc., an international risk management innovation company, who facilitated funding from the World Bank and is the prime contractor.
"We knew the capabilities of the technology," says McKeown. "It's more of an issue of what we could cover and when."
A few near show-stopping hurdles dogged the mission and the crew's ability to fly over Haiti from the start. Leaving the country with the necessary technology was the first obstacle. RIT had obtained an export license from the U.S. Department of State with Department of Defense approval due to the military potential of the technology. The thermal infrared cameras and precision navigation system are export controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. A second critical obstacle was getting clearance from the Haitian government to fly over its airspace. This obstacle was overcome thanks to coordination by the United States Air Force and the assistance of Congressman Eric Massa.
McKeown sums up the overall effort: "The commitment and ingenuity of those working to bring this support to the people of Haiti has been truly amazing at all levels. From faculty, staff and students at RIT, to the pilots from Kucera, the support of members of our local congressional delegation, and the personnel at U.S. Southern Command. Everyone has pulled together in a way that makes you proud to be an American."
Support from RIT's remote sensing program has received congressional support since its inception. Most recently, Congressmen Chris Lee and Dan Maffei have secured funding for the program in the 2010 federal budget in the Homeland Security bill. This funding will directly build on the IPLER project activities and increase RIT's ability to better respond to future disasters.
"The imaging system in use by RIT scientists in Haiti is a real-life example of how this powerful technology can aid the recovery and reconstruction efforts in disaster areas," says Lee. "Having recently been to RIT to see the technology in person, it's clear how this high-resolution color imagery system will allow researchers to pinpoint emergency situations under mounds of rubble, as they are doing this very day in Haiti. I am proud to see this collaboration between RIT, the University at Buffalo and the World Bank to come together and do whatever they can to help those in need."
Adds Maffei: "When I worked with my colleagues to secure this funding, I knew the work RIT's remote sensing program did was remarkable, but I never imagined this would be its mission. I applaud the commitment of the entire team who are assessing the damage from the horrific earthquake in Haiti. Your input will be incredibly valuable as the rebuilding effort gets underway."
Additional support from Congressman Massa has helped directly with RIT's efforts to aid the relief effort in Haiti with imagery. He provided the RIT team with assistance in rapidly obtaining an export license, valuable insight into operational issues based on his prior military experience and helped with coordination with the U.S. military, McKeown says.
"On behalf of the House of Representatives, I want to thank RIT for helping lead the technological effort to improve our rescue operations in Haiti," says Massa. "The earthquake that hit Haiti is a serious humanitarian crisis and I'm glad to have RIT involved in the relief effort."
Source:
Susan Gawlowicz
Rochester Institute of Technology
Funded by the World Bank, and in collaboration with ImageCat Inc., the five-day flight is meticulously mapping the disaster zone to aid in crisis management and eventual reconstruction of the city. The twin engine Piper Navajo, operated by Kucera International, an Ohio-based aerial mapping company, will fly from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, and refuel daily in the Dominican Republic. The plane flies at 3,000 feet over Port-au-Prince and other areas badly hit by the earthquake. The operation began Jan. 21.
RIT is coupling an imaging system it created for the U.S. Forest Service to detect wildfires using high-resolution color imagery and thermal infrared with Kucera's LIDAR topographical sensing system. LIDAR makes precise measurements with laser pulses and complements the other modalities in 3-D layered image maps. RIT scientist Jason Faulring is operating the camera system to survey damage, detect fires, chemical spills and surface contamination on lakes or ponds. George Tatalovich and James Bowers are the pilots flying for Kucera International. Bowers is operating the LIDAR sensor operator.
Recovery crews will use the information in the reconstruction of Haiti. RIT is coordinating closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, the U.S. Geological Survey and non-governmental organizations that want to make use of this unique data set.
Thermal imaging provides relief and recovery agencies with critical insight not available from standard color photography. "You can tell how much liquid is in a storage tank with a thermal camera," says Don McKeown, scientist in RIT's Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science and project manager. "You can make inferences of tanks that are full, tanks that are empty and tanks that are leaking."
The LIDAR capability detects and measures collapsed buildings and standing structures damaged by the earthquake. At the request of the U.S. Geological Survey, Faulring is using LIDAR to map the fault line to estimate how much the earth moved. This information is critical to refinement of earthquake-risk prediction models.
Following each flight, Faulring transfers data from the equipment on the plane to a hard drive. He sends the data back to his colleagues at RIT using Internet access provided by the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) at Mayag??ez with the help of professor Miguel Velez. NYSERNet, a non-profit Internet service provider, temporarily made available an unrestricted Internet2 pipe for the purpose of transferring files from Puerto Rico to Rochester. Brent Bartlett, imaging science staff researcher at RIT, also provided assistance transferring data collected in Haiti.
"This has been a huge team effort between RIT and a host of collaborators," says Jan van Aardt, associate professor of imaging science and director of the Laboratory for Imaging Algorithms and Systems at RIT. The laboratory within RIT's Carlson Center for Imaging Science developed the sensor system and is working closely with RIT's Digital Imaging and Remote Sensing group to explore applications. "If it had not been for this close-knit collaboration between the two teams, we never would have pulled this off," van Aardt adds. "Next steps will include collaborative product development to aid the relief effort."
Scientists and graduate students are working overnight at RIT in the Information Products Laboratory for Emergency Response (IPLER), a partnership between RIT and the University of Buffalo, to process the data and make it available to a worldwide audience. The image maps are posted online on UB's Virtual Disaster Viewer and sent to servers at Google, Yahoo!, Microsoft, United Nations, USGS and ERDAS, a software developer of remote sensing applications.
"The National Science Foundation-sponsored IPLER project, which has as a goal increased flow of knowledge needs between disaster responders, technologists and researchers, has been instrumental in igniting this effort," van Aardt says.
Industry partners reinforced the efficacy of the Information Products Laboratory for Emergency Response. McKeown's suggestion to help in the Haiti crisis management effort met with quick response from Kucera International, which provided the plane and two pilots, and Ron Eguchi from ImageCat Inc., an international risk management innovation company, who facilitated funding from the World Bank and is the prime contractor.
"We knew the capabilities of the technology," says McKeown. "It's more of an issue of what we could cover and when."
A few near show-stopping hurdles dogged the mission and the crew's ability to fly over Haiti from the start. Leaving the country with the necessary technology was the first obstacle. RIT had obtained an export license from the U.S. Department of State with Department of Defense approval due to the military potential of the technology. The thermal infrared cameras and precision navigation system are export controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. A second critical obstacle was getting clearance from the Haitian government to fly over its airspace. This obstacle was overcome thanks to coordination by the United States Air Force and the assistance of Congressman Eric Massa.
McKeown sums up the overall effort: "The commitment and ingenuity of those working to bring this support to the people of Haiti has been truly amazing at all levels. From faculty, staff and students at RIT, to the pilots from Kucera, the support of members of our local congressional delegation, and the personnel at U.S. Southern Command. Everyone has pulled together in a way that makes you proud to be an American."
Support from RIT's remote sensing program has received congressional support since its inception. Most recently, Congressmen Chris Lee and Dan Maffei have secured funding for the program in the 2010 federal budget in the Homeland Security bill. This funding will directly build on the IPLER project activities and increase RIT's ability to better respond to future disasters.
"The imaging system in use by RIT scientists in Haiti is a real-life example of how this powerful technology can aid the recovery and reconstruction efforts in disaster areas," says Lee. "Having recently been to RIT to see the technology in person, it's clear how this high-resolution color imagery system will allow researchers to pinpoint emergency situations under mounds of rubble, as they are doing this very day in Haiti. I am proud to see this collaboration between RIT, the University at Buffalo and the World Bank to come together and do whatever they can to help those in need."
Adds Maffei: "When I worked with my colleagues to secure this funding, I knew the work RIT's remote sensing program did was remarkable, but I never imagined this would be its mission. I applaud the commitment of the entire team who are assessing the damage from the horrific earthquake in Haiti. Your input will be incredibly valuable as the rebuilding effort gets underway."
Additional support from Congressman Massa has helped directly with RIT's efforts to aid the relief effort in Haiti with imagery. He provided the RIT team with assistance in rapidly obtaining an export license, valuable insight into operational issues based on his prior military experience and helped with coordination with the U.S. military, McKeown says.
"On behalf of the House of Representatives, I want to thank RIT for helping lead the technological effort to improve our rescue operations in Haiti," says Massa. "The earthquake that hit Haiti is a serious humanitarian crisis and I'm glad to have RIT involved in the relief effort."
Source:
Susan Gawlowicz
Rochester Institute of Technology
четверг, 19 мая 2011 г.
Chemical Industry/Health Organizations Partnership Provides Safe Drinking Water To Ethiopian Schools
Thousands of school children in
Ethiopia will soon be given a necessity much of the world takes for
granted, clean drinking water. The American Chemistry Council's (ACC)
Chlorine Chemistry Division, Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) and two leading
non- governmental organizations -- Save The Children U.S. and Population
Services International (PSI) -- are partnering to deliver PUR(R) Purifier
of Water, P&G's water purification product, to schools in Ethiopia, where
poor water conditions lead to thousands of childhood deaths each year.
According to the World Health Organization, only 58% of the population
in sub-Saharan Africa has access to safe water supplies, and UNICEF reports
more than half the world's schools do not have safe water, hygiene, and
sanitation. Ethiopia is one of the six countries that together contribute
50% of all preventable mortality among children less than five years old
worldwide. Diarrhea in particular causes about a quarter of these easily
preventable child deaths in Ethiopia with children suffering an average of
5 episodes of diarrhea each year.
PUR Purifier of Water, developed by P&G in collaboration with the US
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) produces high-quality
drinking water from otherwise unsafe sources. It both disinfects through
chlorination, a long-proven method, and it contains flocculants (chemicals
that cause dirt and other impurities to precipitate from water) to clean
water where simple chlorination is not sufficient. PUR reduced diarrheal
illness by an average of 50% in studies conducted by the CDC and Johns
Hopkins University.
"Save the Children U.S. welcomes this partnership with ACC, P&G and PSI
because so many of the children in the Ethiopian schools we support
desperately need safe drinking water," said Margaret Schuler, Deputy
Country Director for Save the Children USA in Ethiopia. "We'll reach more
than 3000 children in the first phase of the program and we hope to expand
quickly next year to reach thousands more."
Based in Washington, DC, PSI promotes products, services and healthy
behavior that enable low-income and vulnerable people to lead healthier
lives. PSI is providing training in the schools and will promote
sustainable provision of PUR through a social marketing program. "Teaming
with the private sector and working through schools provides an opportunity
for us to achieve significant health impact while creating a sustained
intervention," said Daniel Crapper, PSI's country representative in
Ethiopia.
Greg Allgood, PhD, Director, Children's Safe Drinking Water at Procter
& Gamble, explained that P&G is providing long-term provision of the PUR
product at cost as well as sourcing technical support for the program.
"Through these new partnerships, we're helping thousands of school children
and we're expanding our safe drinking water efforts to a new country,
Ethiopia, where we have the potential to help millions of people."
Jack N. Gerard, President and CEO of the American Chemistry Council
added, "ACC is proud to be part of this lifesaving initiative. Clean
drinking water is one of the most important gifts of modern chemistry to
present and future generations. The Chlorine Chemistry division of ACC has
had a longstanding commitment to providing clean drinking water throughout
the world and we look forward to a long relationship with our new partners
to save vulnerable young lives."
To date, more than one million PUR packets have been distributed in
Ethiopia, treating more than 11 million liters of water. In addition to the
in-school program, next year children will receive two sachets each week to
take home and will receive training about safe drinking water and hygiene.
Outside of the schools, by special arrangement, packets will only cost 6
cents each to promote use by residents. "In this way, safe drinking water
will be sustainable and benefit the community at large," said Allgood.
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies
engaged in the business of chemistry. ACC members apply the science of
chemistry to make innovative products and services that make people's lives
better, healthier and safer. ACC is committed to improved environmental,
health and safety performance through Responsible Care(R), common sense
advocacy designed to address major public policy issues, and health and
environmental research and product testing. The business of chemistry is a
$558 billion enterprise and a key element of the nation's economy. It is
one of the nation's largest exporters, accounting for ten cents out of
every dollar in U.S. exports. Chemistry companies are among the largest
investors in research and development. Safety and security have always been
primary concerns of ACC members, and they have intensified their efforts,
working closely with government agencies to improve security and to defend
against any threat to the nation's critical infrastructure.
About P&G
Three billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around
the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted,
quality, leadership brands. The P&G community consists of over 135,000
employees working in over 80 countries worldwide. Through its global
corporate cause -- Live, Learn and Thrive, focused on children in need --
P&G provides technical, marketing, and research/development capabilities in
relation to its new in- home water purification technology. The PUR
Purifier of Water technology was developed in cooperation with the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and has been shown to
significantly reduce diarrheal illness in the developing world. For more
information about PUR Purifier of Water, please visit pghsi.
About Save the Children U.S.
Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating real
and lasting change for children in need in the US and around the world. It
is a member of the International Save the Children Alliance comprising 28
national Save the Children organizations working in more than 100 countries
to ensure the well-being of children. savethechildren
About Population Services International (PSI)
PSI is a non-profit organization that applies commercial tools to a
social mission in order to achieve measurable health impact. Since 1970,
PSI has improved the health and saved the lives of millions of poor and
vulnerable people in measurable ways. Through health programs in 65
countries on 5 continents, PSI distributes affordable, accessible and
attractive health products and services, and motivates other types of
healthy behavior, in HIV/AIDS, family planning, malaria, safe water and
nutrition. In 2005, PSI's safe water programs prevented an estimated 12
million episodes of diarrhea and the deaths of 36,000 children. psi.
American Chemistry Council
americanchemistry
Ethiopia will soon be given a necessity much of the world takes for
granted, clean drinking water. The American Chemistry Council's (ACC)
Chlorine Chemistry Division, Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) and two leading
non- governmental organizations -- Save The Children U.S. and Population
Services International (PSI) -- are partnering to deliver PUR(R) Purifier
of Water, P&G's water purification product, to schools in Ethiopia, where
poor water conditions lead to thousands of childhood deaths each year.
According to the World Health Organization, only 58% of the population
in sub-Saharan Africa has access to safe water supplies, and UNICEF reports
more than half the world's schools do not have safe water, hygiene, and
sanitation. Ethiopia is one of the six countries that together contribute
50% of all preventable mortality among children less than five years old
worldwide. Diarrhea in particular causes about a quarter of these easily
preventable child deaths in Ethiopia with children suffering an average of
5 episodes of diarrhea each year.
PUR Purifier of Water, developed by P&G in collaboration with the US
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) produces high-quality
drinking water from otherwise unsafe sources. It both disinfects through
chlorination, a long-proven method, and it contains flocculants (chemicals
that cause dirt and other impurities to precipitate from water) to clean
water where simple chlorination is not sufficient. PUR reduced diarrheal
illness by an average of 50% in studies conducted by the CDC and Johns
Hopkins University.
"Save the Children U.S. welcomes this partnership with ACC, P&G and PSI
because so many of the children in the Ethiopian schools we support
desperately need safe drinking water," said Margaret Schuler, Deputy
Country Director for Save the Children USA in Ethiopia. "We'll reach more
than 3000 children in the first phase of the program and we hope to expand
quickly next year to reach thousands more."
Based in Washington, DC, PSI promotes products, services and healthy
behavior that enable low-income and vulnerable people to lead healthier
lives. PSI is providing training in the schools and will promote
sustainable provision of PUR through a social marketing program. "Teaming
with the private sector and working through schools provides an opportunity
for us to achieve significant health impact while creating a sustained
intervention," said Daniel Crapper, PSI's country representative in
Ethiopia.
Greg Allgood, PhD, Director, Children's Safe Drinking Water at Procter
& Gamble, explained that P&G is providing long-term provision of the PUR
product at cost as well as sourcing technical support for the program.
"Through these new partnerships, we're helping thousands of school children
and we're expanding our safe drinking water efforts to a new country,
Ethiopia, where we have the potential to help millions of people."
Jack N. Gerard, President and CEO of the American Chemistry Council
added, "ACC is proud to be part of this lifesaving initiative. Clean
drinking water is one of the most important gifts of modern chemistry to
present and future generations. The Chlorine Chemistry division of ACC has
had a longstanding commitment to providing clean drinking water throughout
the world and we look forward to a long relationship with our new partners
to save vulnerable young lives."
To date, more than one million PUR packets have been distributed in
Ethiopia, treating more than 11 million liters of water. In addition to the
in-school program, next year children will receive two sachets each week to
take home and will receive training about safe drinking water and hygiene.
Outside of the schools, by special arrangement, packets will only cost 6
cents each to promote use by residents. "In this way, safe drinking water
will be sustainable and benefit the community at large," said Allgood.
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies
engaged in the business of chemistry. ACC members apply the science of
chemistry to make innovative products and services that make people's lives
better, healthier and safer. ACC is committed to improved environmental,
health and safety performance through Responsible Care(R), common sense
advocacy designed to address major public policy issues, and health and
environmental research and product testing. The business of chemistry is a
$558 billion enterprise and a key element of the nation's economy. It is
one of the nation's largest exporters, accounting for ten cents out of
every dollar in U.S. exports. Chemistry companies are among the largest
investors in research and development. Safety and security have always been
primary concerns of ACC members, and they have intensified their efforts,
working closely with government agencies to improve security and to defend
against any threat to the nation's critical infrastructure.
About P&G
Three billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around
the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted,
quality, leadership brands. The P&G community consists of over 135,000
employees working in over 80 countries worldwide. Through its global
corporate cause -- Live, Learn and Thrive, focused on children in need --
P&G provides technical, marketing, and research/development capabilities in
relation to its new in- home water purification technology. The PUR
Purifier of Water technology was developed in cooperation with the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and has been shown to
significantly reduce diarrheal illness in the developing world. For more
information about PUR Purifier of Water, please visit pghsi.
About Save the Children U.S.
Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating real
and lasting change for children in need in the US and around the world. It
is a member of the International Save the Children Alliance comprising 28
national Save the Children organizations working in more than 100 countries
to ensure the well-being of children. savethechildren
About Population Services International (PSI)
PSI is a non-profit organization that applies commercial tools to a
social mission in order to achieve measurable health impact. Since 1970,
PSI has improved the health and saved the lives of millions of poor and
vulnerable people in measurable ways. Through health programs in 65
countries on 5 continents, PSI distributes affordable, accessible and
attractive health products and services, and motivates other types of
healthy behavior, in HIV/AIDS, family planning, malaria, safe water and
nutrition. In 2005, PSI's safe water programs prevented an estimated 12
million episodes of diarrhea and the deaths of 36,000 children. psi.
American Chemistry Council
americanchemistry
среда, 18 мая 2011 г.
Pioneering African Health Group to Receive 2005 Gates Award for Global Health
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced today that the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) will receive
the $1 million 2005 Gates Award for Global Health for their extraordinary efforts for nearly 50 years to improve health in
Africa's poorest communities, build local health infrastructure, and document their success to guide others. The Gates Award
recognizes extraordinary achievement in improving health in the developing world, and is the world's largest prize for
international health.
AMREF was selected from more than 85 nominees by a jury of international public health leaders. The award will be presented
today in Washington, D.C., at the Global Health Council's 32nd annual international conference. William H. Gates, Sr.,
co-chair of the Gates Foundation, will present the award to Dr. Miriam Were, chair of AMREF's board of directors. The Gates
Award is administered by the Global Health Council.
AMREF, founded in 1957 as Flying Doctors of East Africa, is the oldest and largest aid organization based in Africa and led
by Africans. AMREF was chosen to receive the 2005 Gates Award because of its innovative work for nearly 50 years to improve
health in some of Africa's poorest communities. AMREF's programs reach millions of people each year, and have been widely
recognized and documented as some of the greatest success stories in African health.
"People often ask what it will take to dramatically improve health in Africa," said Bill Gates, co-founder of the Gates
Foundation. "AMREF has been saving lives year after year for decades, and should give us all hope that even the most complex
health challenges can be overcome."
"Health is the beacon that will lead Africa out of poverty," said Dr. Were, AMREF chair and a community health specialist who
has led country-level health programs in Africa for WHO and UNICEF. "We are humbled by this award, and we accept it on behalf
of the communities we work with."
AMREF's staff of more than 600 physicians, nurses, researchers, nutritionists, public health workers, and sanitation workers
help communities build health systems to address many of the most serious health challenges facing Africa.
"Bill and I established this award to draw the world's attention to the greatest success stories in global health - the
unsung heroes whose work has opened new doors and new possibilities for improving health in developing countries," said
Melinda Gates, co-founder of the foundation. "We congratulate AMREF on its accomplishments, which are an inspiration for the
world."
Dr. Nils Daulaire, president and CEO of the Global Health Council, said: "Extraordinary challenges call for extraordinary
efforts. AMREF's work is impressive for its massive scope, and doubly impressive for its well-documented impact."
About AMREF
In its early years as Flying Doctors, AMREF airlifted surgeons to perform emergency procedures in African towns and villages
without access to hospitals, a service that continues today. Since then, AMREF has greatly expanded its scope, and today
operates programs addressing HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, clean water and sanitation, family health, training health care workers,
and emergency relief.
Since its founding, AMREF has embraced technology as integral to improving health. AMREF owns a fleet of planes specially
equipped with intensive care units, and it established Africa's first and largest two-way radio communications network.
Recently, AMREF has begun installing videoconferencing facilities in rural areas, so that doctors and patients can consult
with specialists in major cities.
One of AMREF's largest initiatives trains rural health workers who have little or no formal medical education. In addition,
more than 20 countries send their district health workers to Nairobi for AMREF's year-long Diploma in Community Health
program. The organization also publishes a series of field manuals that give practical instructions for safely and correctly
caring for serious diseases.
AMREF regularly conducts evaluation research to guide the development of its programs, and its findings influence health
policy worldwide. For example, AMREF demonstrated in Tanzania that the rate of HIV infection could be cut up to 40% by
encouraging people to seek testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. As part of its work on malaria, AMREF
collected the first data showing that insecticide-treated bed nets are a cost-effective method for protecting young children
from the disease. Recently, AMREF led East African consultations for the Commission for Africa established by U.K. Prime
Minister Tony Blair.
Twelve national offices in North America and Europe, including AMREF USA in New York, help to raise support for AMREF from
individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
About the Gates Award for Global Health
The Gates Award was established by Bill and Melinda Gates in 2000 to draw attention to some of the most effective and
inspiring efforts in improving global health.
Previous recipients of the Gates Award include the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (2004) for community-based health
programs; the Brazilian National AIDS Program (2003) for its integrated approach to HIV prevention and treatment; the Rotary
Foundation of Rotary International (2002) for contributions to polio eradication; and the ICDDR,B Center for Health and
Population Research in Bangladesh (2001) for the discovery of a simple rehydration therapy that has saved millions of lives.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to promote greater equity in four areas: global health, education, public
libraries, and support for at-risk families in Washington state and Oregon. The Seattle-based foundation joins local,
national, and international partners to ensure that advances in these areas reach those who need them most. The foundation is
led by Bill Gates's father, William H. Gates Sr., and Patty Stonesifer.
On the Internet:
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, gatesfoundation
AMREF, amref
Global Health Council, globalhealth
Distributed for the bill & Melinda Gates Foundation by:
Peter Robbs Consultants Ltd
News Media and Editorial
Main contacts:
Cathy Bartley
T: +44 20 7635 1593
Peter Robbs
T: +44 1480 465328
F: +44 1480 492724
E: cathy.bartleyukonline
E: peter.robbsukonline
the $1 million 2005 Gates Award for Global Health for their extraordinary efforts for nearly 50 years to improve health in
Africa's poorest communities, build local health infrastructure, and document their success to guide others. The Gates Award
recognizes extraordinary achievement in improving health in the developing world, and is the world's largest prize for
international health.
AMREF was selected from more than 85 nominees by a jury of international public health leaders. The award will be presented
today in Washington, D.C., at the Global Health Council's 32nd annual international conference. William H. Gates, Sr.,
co-chair of the Gates Foundation, will present the award to Dr. Miriam Were, chair of AMREF's board of directors. The Gates
Award is administered by the Global Health Council.
AMREF, founded in 1957 as Flying Doctors of East Africa, is the oldest and largest aid organization based in Africa and led
by Africans. AMREF was chosen to receive the 2005 Gates Award because of its innovative work for nearly 50 years to improve
health in some of Africa's poorest communities. AMREF's programs reach millions of people each year, and have been widely
recognized and documented as some of the greatest success stories in African health.
"People often ask what it will take to dramatically improve health in Africa," said Bill Gates, co-founder of the Gates
Foundation. "AMREF has been saving lives year after year for decades, and should give us all hope that even the most complex
health challenges can be overcome."
"Health is the beacon that will lead Africa out of poverty," said Dr. Were, AMREF chair and a community health specialist who
has led country-level health programs in Africa for WHO and UNICEF. "We are humbled by this award, and we accept it on behalf
of the communities we work with."
AMREF's staff of more than 600 physicians, nurses, researchers, nutritionists, public health workers, and sanitation workers
help communities build health systems to address many of the most serious health challenges facing Africa.
"Bill and I established this award to draw the world's attention to the greatest success stories in global health - the
unsung heroes whose work has opened new doors and new possibilities for improving health in developing countries," said
Melinda Gates, co-founder of the foundation. "We congratulate AMREF on its accomplishments, which are an inspiration for the
world."
Dr. Nils Daulaire, president and CEO of the Global Health Council, said: "Extraordinary challenges call for extraordinary
efforts. AMREF's work is impressive for its massive scope, and doubly impressive for its well-documented impact."
About AMREF
In its early years as Flying Doctors, AMREF airlifted surgeons to perform emergency procedures in African towns and villages
without access to hospitals, a service that continues today. Since then, AMREF has greatly expanded its scope, and today
operates programs addressing HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, clean water and sanitation, family health, training health care workers,
and emergency relief.
Since its founding, AMREF has embraced technology as integral to improving health. AMREF owns a fleet of planes specially
equipped with intensive care units, and it established Africa's first and largest two-way radio communications network.
Recently, AMREF has begun installing videoconferencing facilities in rural areas, so that doctors and patients can consult
with specialists in major cities.
One of AMREF's largest initiatives trains rural health workers who have little or no formal medical education. In addition,
more than 20 countries send their district health workers to Nairobi for AMREF's year-long Diploma in Community Health
program. The organization also publishes a series of field manuals that give practical instructions for safely and correctly
caring for serious diseases.
AMREF regularly conducts evaluation research to guide the development of its programs, and its findings influence health
policy worldwide. For example, AMREF demonstrated in Tanzania that the rate of HIV infection could be cut up to 40% by
encouraging people to seek testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. As part of its work on malaria, AMREF
collected the first data showing that insecticide-treated bed nets are a cost-effective method for protecting young children
from the disease. Recently, AMREF led East African consultations for the Commission for Africa established by U.K. Prime
Minister Tony Blair.
Twelve national offices in North America and Europe, including AMREF USA in New York, help to raise support for AMREF from
individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
About the Gates Award for Global Health
The Gates Award was established by Bill and Melinda Gates in 2000 to draw attention to some of the most effective and
inspiring efforts in improving global health.
Previous recipients of the Gates Award include the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (2004) for community-based health
programs; the Brazilian National AIDS Program (2003) for its integrated approach to HIV prevention and treatment; the Rotary
Foundation of Rotary International (2002) for contributions to polio eradication; and the ICDDR,B Center for Health and
Population Research in Bangladesh (2001) for the discovery of a simple rehydration therapy that has saved millions of lives.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to promote greater equity in four areas: global health, education, public
libraries, and support for at-risk families in Washington state and Oregon. The Seattle-based foundation joins local,
national, and international partners to ensure that advances in these areas reach those who need them most. The foundation is
led by Bill Gates's father, William H. Gates Sr., and Patty Stonesifer.
On the Internet:
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, gatesfoundation
AMREF, amref
Global Health Council, globalhealth
Distributed for the bill & Melinda Gates Foundation by:
Peter Robbs Consultants Ltd
News Media and Editorial
Main contacts:
Cathy Bartley
T: +44 20 7635 1593
Peter Robbs
T: +44 1480 465328
F: +44 1480 492724
E: cathy.bartleyukonline
E: peter.robbsukonline
вторник, 17 мая 2011 г.
Lebanon Crisis, World Health Organization Update
The conflict across the border between Lebanon and Israel continues, threatening people's health in the region. The affected population, including 680 000 in Lebanon and 220 000 in Syria, Jordan, Cyprus, and the Gulf area, needs urgent support to access safe drinking water, health care, vaccines and life-saving medications. The large-scale destruction of the Lebanon's infrastructure is affecting the health system's capacity to deliver care.
Lebanon is a country in social and epidemiological transition, and in normal times the burden of disease is equally divided between communicable and non-communicable diseases. The current situation implies (a) increase in risk for communicable diseases because of the concentration of displaced people and lack of access to clean water and sanitation and (b) great risk for those already living with chronic diseases because of the loss of life-preserving medications and support services. This applies also to pregnant women about to deliver and others in need of assistance for similarly vital events.
WHO and health partners are supporting the national authorities in meeting the urgent needs of the rapidly increasing number of displaced people, including access to safe drinking water, health care, vaccines and life saving medications. Collaboration with other health agencies such as UNICEF, UNFPA, the Lebanese Red Cross and others is instituted through the Health Cluster mechanism, and the UN Flash Appeal launched on 24 July.
Eighteen health projects are listed under the Flash Appeal, for a total requirement of US$ 32 428 200. Pledges thus far include US$ 1 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), US$ 381 000 from Australia, 200 000 Euros from Italy, 100 000 Euros from Ireland, US$ 600 000 from Sweden, US$ 660 000 from Canada, 1 000 000 Euros from Norway and 500 000 Euros from ECHO.
Assessment, monitoring and coordination go hand-in-hand and have their own costs, especially in such high risk environments (US$ 3 million). The bulk of costs goes to filling the gaps (e.g. salaries, supplies, equipment) that the conflict has created in the health system (US$ 28 million), and preserving and supporting what is left of the local health system, critical for an easy transition to recovery (US$ 1 million).
who.int
Lebanon is a country in social and epidemiological transition, and in normal times the burden of disease is equally divided between communicable and non-communicable diseases. The current situation implies (a) increase in risk for communicable diseases because of the concentration of displaced people and lack of access to clean water and sanitation and (b) great risk for those already living with chronic diseases because of the loss of life-preserving medications and support services. This applies also to pregnant women about to deliver and others in need of assistance for similarly vital events.
WHO and health partners are supporting the national authorities in meeting the urgent needs of the rapidly increasing number of displaced people, including access to safe drinking water, health care, vaccines and life saving medications. Collaboration with other health agencies such as UNICEF, UNFPA, the Lebanese Red Cross and others is instituted through the Health Cluster mechanism, and the UN Flash Appeal launched on 24 July.
Eighteen health projects are listed under the Flash Appeal, for a total requirement of US$ 32 428 200. Pledges thus far include US$ 1 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), US$ 381 000 from Australia, 200 000 Euros from Italy, 100 000 Euros from Ireland, US$ 600 000 from Sweden, US$ 660 000 from Canada, 1 000 000 Euros from Norway and 500 000 Euros from ECHO.
Assessment, monitoring and coordination go hand-in-hand and have their own costs, especially in such high risk environments (US$ 3 million). The bulk of costs goes to filling the gaps (e.g. salaries, supplies, equipment) that the conflict has created in the health system (US$ 28 million), and preserving and supporting what is left of the local health system, critical for an easy transition to recovery (US$ 1 million).
who.int
понедельник, 16 мая 2011 г.
First WFP Food Aid Ship In More Than A Decade Arrives In Somali Port Of Mogadishu
A ship chartered by the United Nations World Food Programme docked yesterday in Mogadishu - the agency's first delivery in the capital's port in more than a decade.
The MV Redline docked at Mogadishu port on Sunday loaded with 3,300 metric tons of WFP food - 2,400 tons of cereals, 780 tons of pulses, 90 tons of highly nutritious blended food and 30 tons of vegetable oil. The food will be trucked to the drought stricken regions of Bay and Bakool in the south.
Rival claims by competing warlords closed Mogadishu port in February 1995 until the Union of Islamic Courts seized the capital in June. The port was reopened to shipping in August.
"Mogadishu is once again a key entry point for getting food stocks into the country. The reopening of the port makes it easier for us to reach more than one million people across the country who rely on our assistance," said WFP Somalia Acting Country Director Leo van der Velden. "It should also bode well for the peace and stability that Somalia needs."
Van der Velden said that using the country's largest port should reduce unloading times and help ease logistical problems that have complicated WFP's supply lines into Somalia over the past 10 years.
With Mogadishu closed to shipping, WFP-chartered ships had to unload their cargo at beach ports near the capital and at the port of Merka to the south. Cranes unloaded the food commodities from ships onto smaller barges, which then ferried them to the shallows, where porters waited to wade ashore with the bags.
Van den Velden said WFP was discussing with Mogadishu's newly appointed port management the use of WFP food in return for work to clean up the facility after years of disuse.
A spate of pirate attacks in Somali waters in 2005 forced WFP to bring food aid to the drought-stricken south by road because shipping companies were unwilling to risk voyages to Somalia. Two WFP-chartered ships were seized by pirates in 2005 and one escaped a pirate attack in March 2006.
Although the recent harvest has provided a respite for some people in Somalia, many families are still struggling to recover from last year's devastating drought.
An interagency assessment completed in August on the outcome of the March-June Gu main rains found that 1.4 million people in North, central or southern Somalia face either an acute food and livelihood security crisis or humanitarian emergency until at least the end of December 2006. In addition, 400,000 internally displaced people need prolonged humanitarian assistance.
Up until the Gu rains assessment, WFP assisted a total of 1.3 million people in Somalia, where it has 11 offices. Most distributions are emergency relief for families whose livelihoods have been destroyed by drought. Other activities include supplementary feeding for malnourished children, school feeding, food for work, and food for training and rehabilitation.
WFP needs a total of US$37 million to assist 1.1 million people in Somalia until July 2007.
To date contributors to WFP's Somalia programme in 2006 are: the United States (US$26.2 million), UK Department for International Development (US$9.64 million), the Netherlands (US$5.3 million), Saudi Arabia (US$3 million), Canada (US$1.3 million), Ireland (US$1.2 million), Italy (US$1.17 million), Sweden (US$1.16 million), United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (US$851,000), Australia (US$752,000), Belgium (US$643,000), Finland (US$605,000), African Development Bank (US$500,000), Switzerland (US$379,000), Turkey (US$300,000), Norway (US$206,000) US Friends of WFP (US$74,000) and private donations (US$55,000).
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency: each year, we give food to an average of 90 million poor people to meet their nutritional needs, including 58 million hungry children, in at least 80 of the world's poorest countries. WFP -- We Feed People.
For further information please go to:
World Food Program WFP - We Feed People
The MV Redline docked at Mogadishu port on Sunday loaded with 3,300 metric tons of WFP food - 2,400 tons of cereals, 780 tons of pulses, 90 tons of highly nutritious blended food and 30 tons of vegetable oil. The food will be trucked to the drought stricken regions of Bay and Bakool in the south.
Rival claims by competing warlords closed Mogadishu port in February 1995 until the Union of Islamic Courts seized the capital in June. The port was reopened to shipping in August.
"Mogadishu is once again a key entry point for getting food stocks into the country. The reopening of the port makes it easier for us to reach more than one million people across the country who rely on our assistance," said WFP Somalia Acting Country Director Leo van der Velden. "It should also bode well for the peace and stability that Somalia needs."
Van der Velden said that using the country's largest port should reduce unloading times and help ease logistical problems that have complicated WFP's supply lines into Somalia over the past 10 years.
With Mogadishu closed to shipping, WFP-chartered ships had to unload their cargo at beach ports near the capital and at the port of Merka to the south. Cranes unloaded the food commodities from ships onto smaller barges, which then ferried them to the shallows, where porters waited to wade ashore with the bags.
Van den Velden said WFP was discussing with Mogadishu's newly appointed port management the use of WFP food in return for work to clean up the facility after years of disuse.
A spate of pirate attacks in Somali waters in 2005 forced WFP to bring food aid to the drought-stricken south by road because shipping companies were unwilling to risk voyages to Somalia. Two WFP-chartered ships were seized by pirates in 2005 and one escaped a pirate attack in March 2006.
Although the recent harvest has provided a respite for some people in Somalia, many families are still struggling to recover from last year's devastating drought.
An interagency assessment completed in August on the outcome of the March-June Gu main rains found that 1.4 million people in North, central or southern Somalia face either an acute food and livelihood security crisis or humanitarian emergency until at least the end of December 2006. In addition, 400,000 internally displaced people need prolonged humanitarian assistance.
Up until the Gu rains assessment, WFP assisted a total of 1.3 million people in Somalia, where it has 11 offices. Most distributions are emergency relief for families whose livelihoods have been destroyed by drought. Other activities include supplementary feeding for malnourished children, school feeding, food for work, and food for training and rehabilitation.
WFP needs a total of US$37 million to assist 1.1 million people in Somalia until July 2007.
To date contributors to WFP's Somalia programme in 2006 are: the United States (US$26.2 million), UK Department for International Development (US$9.64 million), the Netherlands (US$5.3 million), Saudi Arabia (US$3 million), Canada (US$1.3 million), Ireland (US$1.2 million), Italy (US$1.17 million), Sweden (US$1.16 million), United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (US$851,000), Australia (US$752,000), Belgium (US$643,000), Finland (US$605,000), African Development Bank (US$500,000), Switzerland (US$379,000), Turkey (US$300,000), Norway (US$206,000) US Friends of WFP (US$74,000) and private donations (US$55,000).
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency: each year, we give food to an average of 90 million poor people to meet their nutritional needs, including 58 million hungry children, in at least 80 of the world's poorest countries. WFP -- We Feed People.
For further information please go to:
World Food Program WFP - We Feed People
воскресенье, 15 мая 2011 г.
Heart To Heart International Responds To Crisis In Pakistan
An estimated 20 million people in northwest Pakistan have been displaced by the worst flooding in decades. In response, Heart to Heart International has already sent an initial shipment of aid valued at $150,000 (U.S. wholesale) through its humanitarian partner, International Medical Corps (IMC), and more aid is on the way.
"We are mobilizing as much aid as possible to address health needs throughout this disaster zone," said Andre T. Butler, Chief Executive Officer, Heart to Heart. "We are working with our humanitarian partners in the region to expedite shipments of medicine and supplies to those most in need. We're also sending our Ready Relief Box™ to multiple partners, so they can bring aid to those who haven't been able to evacuate their towns and villages. It's really a race against time."
Heart to Heart is focusing on providing medicines that combat water-related diseases, wound-care supplies, hygiene products that fight the spread of disease-carrying germs, and multi-vitamins for displaced women and children. IMC and other relief partners in affected regions have requested the Heart to Heart Ready Relief Box™ a portable pharmacy that provides up to 500 treatments per box in order to provide medical care for displaced people in isolated communities. The organization is preparing to send 10-15 boxes this week and several more boxes over the next 2 - 3 weeks to provide ongoing aid.
FedEx has generously agreed to ship all Heart to Heart International aid free-of-charge to affected regions. Several other donors have come alongside Heart to Heart to assist in the rapid response, including the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and the Johnson & Johnson.
Heart to Heart International is a global volunteer movement that is improving health in underserved communities around the world. Since its founding in 1992, Heart to Heart International has delivered aid worth $850 million in U.S. wholesale value to more than 100 countries, including the United States. The organization was included by Forbes on its prestigious list of "America's 200 Largest Charities" for the past three years and was recognized in 2009 as one of the top nonprofits in the categories of donor efficiency and charitable commitment.
Source: Heart to Heart International
"We are mobilizing as much aid as possible to address health needs throughout this disaster zone," said Andre T. Butler, Chief Executive Officer, Heart to Heart. "We are working with our humanitarian partners in the region to expedite shipments of medicine and supplies to those most in need. We're also sending our Ready Relief Box™ to multiple partners, so they can bring aid to those who haven't been able to evacuate their towns and villages. It's really a race against time."
Heart to Heart is focusing on providing medicines that combat water-related diseases, wound-care supplies, hygiene products that fight the spread of disease-carrying germs, and multi-vitamins for displaced women and children. IMC and other relief partners in affected regions have requested the Heart to Heart Ready Relief Box™ a portable pharmacy that provides up to 500 treatments per box in order to provide medical care for displaced people in isolated communities. The organization is preparing to send 10-15 boxes this week and several more boxes over the next 2 - 3 weeks to provide ongoing aid.
FedEx has generously agreed to ship all Heart to Heart International aid free-of-charge to affected regions. Several other donors have come alongside Heart to Heart to assist in the rapid response, including the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and the Johnson & Johnson.
Heart to Heart International is a global volunteer movement that is improving health in underserved communities around the world. Since its founding in 1992, Heart to Heart International has delivered aid worth $850 million in U.S. wholesale value to more than 100 countries, including the United States. The organization was included by Forbes on its prestigious list of "America's 200 Largest Charities" for the past three years and was recognized in 2009 as one of the top nonprofits in the categories of donor efficiency and charitable commitment.
Source: Heart to Heart International
суббота, 14 мая 2011 г.
Zimbabwe - World Food Programme Feeds 2 Million In October But Forced To Cut Rations In November
WFP distributed 29,000 tons of food to around 2 million vulnerable
people across Zimbabwe in October - the first month of large-scale
distributions.
The 2 million beneficiaries breakdown as follows:
Around 1.4 million - beneficiaries living in rural areas worst affected
by this year's disastrous harvest received life-saving relief rations
during October under WFP's vulnerable group feeding (VGF) programme.
An additional 570,000 - chronically vulnerable people were assisted
under WFP's separate safety net programmes.
??? With the food crisis worsening, WFP is planning to double its
beneficiaries in November by scaling up its operations to reach almost 4
million hungry people in rural and urban areas across the country.
??? In November, WFP is aiming to distribute around 46,000 tons of food
to more than 3.3 million people under VGF and around 600,000 under the
safety net programmes.
??? But WFP will not be able to provide every beneficiary in November
with a full food basket due to a serious funding crisis.
??? WFP still requires US$140 million to fund its operations in Zimbabwe
until the end of March 2009 - with a shortfall of approximately 145,000
tons of food, including 110,000 mt of cereals and 35,000 mt of other food
commodities.
??? There is currently no food in the pipeline for distributions in
January and February - just when the crisis is reaching its peak and when
WFP is aiming to assist over 4 million people each month.
??? WFP needs additional donations urgently since it takes between 6-8
weeks to transform a cash contribution into food on a beneficiary's table.
??? Faced with such a serious shortfall, WFP has been forced to cut
rations in November in order to provide some assistance to all of its
targeted beneficiaries.
??? The cereal ration has been cut from 12kg to 10kg per person per month
and the pulse ration from 1.8kg to 1kg per person per month for all VGF
beneficiaries and for people receiving take-home rations under the safety
net programmes.
??? These cuts will allow WFP to stretch its available resources as far
as possible but they will leave greater numbers more malnourished and more
susceptible to disease.
BACKGROUND
??? According to the FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission, the
number of people in need of assistance will to rise 5.1 million - or 45
percent of the population - at the peak of the crisis in early 2009.
??? WFP is planning to provide assistance to around 4 million people
every month until the end of March 2009 - as long as there are sufficient
resources.
??? A group of 3-US sponsored NGOs - known as C-SAFE - is also intending
to provide free, humanitarian food assistance to around 1 million people at
the peak of the crisis.
??? In the worst affected communities, people are surviving on one meal a
day - at most.
??? There are widespread reports of people skipping meals for an entire
day or eating wild foods such as baobab seeds and amarula fruit. Hungry
families are being forced to exchange their precious livestock for buckets
of maize.
??? Other families have no option but to beg for help or to resort to
other desperate measures to survive - selling their few remaining household
assets, migrating in search of work and food, pulling children out of
school etc.
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency and the UN's frontline
agency for hunger solutions. This year, WFP plans to feed 90 million people
in 80 countries.
wfp
people across Zimbabwe in October - the first month of large-scale
distributions.
The 2 million beneficiaries breakdown as follows:
Around 1.4 million - beneficiaries living in rural areas worst affected
by this year's disastrous harvest received life-saving relief rations
during October under WFP's vulnerable group feeding (VGF) programme.
An additional 570,000 - chronically vulnerable people were assisted
under WFP's separate safety net programmes.
??? With the food crisis worsening, WFP is planning to double its
beneficiaries in November by scaling up its operations to reach almost 4
million hungry people in rural and urban areas across the country.
??? In November, WFP is aiming to distribute around 46,000 tons of food
to more than 3.3 million people under VGF and around 600,000 under the
safety net programmes.
??? But WFP will not be able to provide every beneficiary in November
with a full food basket due to a serious funding crisis.
??? WFP still requires US$140 million to fund its operations in Zimbabwe
until the end of March 2009 - with a shortfall of approximately 145,000
tons of food, including 110,000 mt of cereals and 35,000 mt of other food
commodities.
??? There is currently no food in the pipeline for distributions in
January and February - just when the crisis is reaching its peak and when
WFP is aiming to assist over 4 million people each month.
??? WFP needs additional donations urgently since it takes between 6-8
weeks to transform a cash contribution into food on a beneficiary's table.
??? Faced with such a serious shortfall, WFP has been forced to cut
rations in November in order to provide some assistance to all of its
targeted beneficiaries.
??? The cereal ration has been cut from 12kg to 10kg per person per month
and the pulse ration from 1.8kg to 1kg per person per month for all VGF
beneficiaries and for people receiving take-home rations under the safety
net programmes.
??? These cuts will allow WFP to stretch its available resources as far
as possible but they will leave greater numbers more malnourished and more
susceptible to disease.
BACKGROUND
??? According to the FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission, the
number of people in need of assistance will to rise 5.1 million - or 45
percent of the population - at the peak of the crisis in early 2009.
??? WFP is planning to provide assistance to around 4 million people
every month until the end of March 2009 - as long as there are sufficient
resources.
??? A group of 3-US sponsored NGOs - known as C-SAFE - is also intending
to provide free, humanitarian food assistance to around 1 million people at
the peak of the crisis.
??? In the worst affected communities, people are surviving on one meal a
day - at most.
??? There are widespread reports of people skipping meals for an entire
day or eating wild foods such as baobab seeds and amarula fruit. Hungry
families are being forced to exchange their precious livestock for buckets
of maize.
??? Other families have no option but to beg for help or to resort to
other desperate measures to survive - selling their few remaining household
assets, migrating in search of work and food, pulling children out of
school etc.
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency and the UN's frontline
agency for hunger solutions. This year, WFP plans to feed 90 million people
in 80 countries.
wfp
пятница, 13 мая 2011 г.
Hurricane Katrina Increased Mental And Physical Health Problems In New Orleans By Up To Three Times
Half the residents of New Orleans were suffering from poor mental and physical
health more than a year after their homes and community were devastated by
Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, according to research published in the September
issue of the UK-based Journal of Clinical Nursing.
Researchers from Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, California, spoke to
222 local residents 15 months after they survived one of the worst natural disasters
to hit the USA.
They discovered that some health problems tripled in the post-Katrina period,
compared to a survey of Louisiana residents carried out before the hurricane.
"Our results add to the growing body of evidence that disaster survivors continue to
suffer from poor mental and physical health for prolonged periods of time after the
initial impact" says lead researcher Professor Son Chae Kim.
"The health problem rates we recorded were considerably higher than those reported
by Louisiana residents to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
in 2003. The BRFSS is the world's largest, on-going telephone health survey system
and has been tracking health conditions and risk behaviors in the United States
every year since 1984."
Key findings of the survey include:
52 per cent of the respondents reported a day or more of poor mental health in
the past month, with 18 per cent reporting daily mental health problems. These
figures were two to three times higher than the pre-Katrina levels recorded in
2003 among Louisiana residents. Then, 26 per cent reported a day or more of
mental health, with six per cent reporting daily mental health problems.
The mental health problems appear to be worse than those reported five to 15
months after the September 11 terrorist attacks, in which 33 per cent of survivors
reported having a day or more of poor mental health.
People were more likely to suffer from poor mental health if they were female or
had experienced poor physical health in the past month. Respondents diagnosed
with depression before the incident were 19 times more likely to experience poor
mental health and people who felt unsafe from crime were four times more likely.
Just under half of the residents (48 per cent) reported a day or more of poor
physical health, with 11 per cent reporting daily physical health problems. These
are approximately one and half times the pre-Katrina levels recorded in 2003
among Louisiana residents. Then, 33 per cent reported a day or more of poor
physical health, with seven per cent reporting daily physical health problems.
??? Poor mental health during the past month, lack of money for food and pre-Katrina
arthritis were significant predictors of poor physical health during the past month.
"Some of the findings did surprise us" says Professor Kim. "Being unemployed and
having missing family members were not correlated with poor mental health, but they
did correlate with poor physical health.
"Also, difficult access to clean drinking water did not correlate with poor physical
health, but it did correlate with poor mental health."
The aims of the study were to assess the medium-term post-Katrina mental and
physical health of New Orleans residents and to determine the demographic, social
and environmental factors that predict these problems.
The 222 residents were interviewed by University nursing students and faculty
members, in partnership with the non-profit organisation Heart to Heart International.
They were carried out during door-to-door visits and a community health fair in
December 2006, 15 months after Katrina.
Just under two-thirds of the respondents (64 per cent) were aged between 35 and 64
years of age and 47 per cent had some college education. Sixty per cent were
female, 77 per cent were black and 47 per cent were unemployed.
More than a quarter had no healthcare insurance, ate less than they should because
of lack of money, lived below the poverty line and said their current house was
unsafe due to major damage. Almost a quarter (23 per cent) felt unsafe from crime.
"Our findings indicate that the Katrina survivors are likely to suffer from persistent
poor mental and physical health for the foreseeable future unless concerted
interventions are put in place" says Professor Kim.
"The study suggests that post-Katrina efforts should focus on protecting the
residents from crime, improving mental health services to those who are depressed
and improving food supplies to the poor.
"We also hope that our findings will provide valuable guidance for healthcare
professionals and policy makers involved in future disasters, by helping them to
anticipate and deal with the mental and physical health problems that are left behind
once the initial crisis has been dealt with."
Medium-term post-Katrina health sequelae among New Orleans residents: predictors of
poor mental and physical health. Kim et al. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 17, pp 2335
2342 (September 2008).
Founded in 1992, Journal of Clinical Nursing is a highly regarded peer reviewed
Journal that has a truly international readership. The Journal embraces experienced
clinical nurses, student nurses and health professionals, who support, inform and
investigate nursing practice. It enlightens, educates, explores, debates and challenges
the foundations of clinical health care knowledge and practice worldwide. Edited by
Professor Roger Watson, it is published 10 times a year by Blackwell Publishing Ltd, part
of the international Blackwell Publishing group. blackwellpublishing/jcn
About Wiley-Blackwell
Wiley-Blackwell was formed in February 2007 as a result of the
acquisition of Blackwell Publishing Ltd. by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., and its merger with
Wiley's Scientific, Technical, and Medical business. Together, the companies have
created a global publishing business with deep strength in every major academic and
professional field. Wiley-Blackwell publishes approximately 1,400 scholarly peer-reviewed
journals and an extensive collection of books with global appeal. For more information on
Wiley-Blackwell, please visit blackwellpublishing or
interscience.wiley.
Wiley
health more than a year after their homes and community were devastated by
Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, according to research published in the September
issue of the UK-based Journal of Clinical Nursing.
Researchers from Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, California, spoke to
222 local residents 15 months after they survived one of the worst natural disasters
to hit the USA.
They discovered that some health problems tripled in the post-Katrina period,
compared to a survey of Louisiana residents carried out before the hurricane.
"Our results add to the growing body of evidence that disaster survivors continue to
suffer from poor mental and physical health for prolonged periods of time after the
initial impact" says lead researcher Professor Son Chae Kim.
"The health problem rates we recorded were considerably higher than those reported
by Louisiana residents to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
in 2003. The BRFSS is the world's largest, on-going telephone health survey system
and has been tracking health conditions and risk behaviors in the United States
every year since 1984."
Key findings of the survey include:
52 per cent of the respondents reported a day or more of poor mental health in
the past month, with 18 per cent reporting daily mental health problems. These
figures were two to three times higher than the pre-Katrina levels recorded in
2003 among Louisiana residents. Then, 26 per cent reported a day or more of
mental health, with six per cent reporting daily mental health problems.
The mental health problems appear to be worse than those reported five to 15
months after the September 11 terrorist attacks, in which 33 per cent of survivors
reported having a day or more of poor mental health.
People were more likely to suffer from poor mental health if they were female or
had experienced poor physical health in the past month. Respondents diagnosed
with depression before the incident were 19 times more likely to experience poor
mental health and people who felt unsafe from crime were four times more likely.
Just under half of the residents (48 per cent) reported a day or more of poor
physical health, with 11 per cent reporting daily physical health problems. These
are approximately one and half times the pre-Katrina levels recorded in 2003
among Louisiana residents. Then, 33 per cent reported a day or more of poor
physical health, with seven per cent reporting daily physical health problems.
??? Poor mental health during the past month, lack of money for food and pre-Katrina
arthritis were significant predictors of poor physical health during the past month.
"Some of the findings did surprise us" says Professor Kim. "Being unemployed and
having missing family members were not correlated with poor mental health, but they
did correlate with poor physical health.
"Also, difficult access to clean drinking water did not correlate with poor physical
health, but it did correlate with poor mental health."
The aims of the study were to assess the medium-term post-Katrina mental and
physical health of New Orleans residents and to determine the demographic, social
and environmental factors that predict these problems.
The 222 residents were interviewed by University nursing students and faculty
members, in partnership with the non-profit organisation Heart to Heart International.
They were carried out during door-to-door visits and a community health fair in
December 2006, 15 months after Katrina.
Just under two-thirds of the respondents (64 per cent) were aged between 35 and 64
years of age and 47 per cent had some college education. Sixty per cent were
female, 77 per cent were black and 47 per cent were unemployed.
More than a quarter had no healthcare insurance, ate less than they should because
of lack of money, lived below the poverty line and said their current house was
unsafe due to major damage. Almost a quarter (23 per cent) felt unsafe from crime.
"Our findings indicate that the Katrina survivors are likely to suffer from persistent
poor mental and physical health for the foreseeable future unless concerted
interventions are put in place" says Professor Kim.
"The study suggests that post-Katrina efforts should focus on protecting the
residents from crime, improving mental health services to those who are depressed
and improving food supplies to the poor.
"We also hope that our findings will provide valuable guidance for healthcare
professionals and policy makers involved in future disasters, by helping them to
anticipate and deal with the mental and physical health problems that are left behind
once the initial crisis has been dealt with."
Medium-term post-Katrina health sequelae among New Orleans residents: predictors of
poor mental and physical health. Kim et al. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 17, pp 2335
2342 (September 2008).
Founded in 1992, Journal of Clinical Nursing is a highly regarded peer reviewed
Journal that has a truly international readership. The Journal embraces experienced
clinical nurses, student nurses and health professionals, who support, inform and
investigate nursing practice. It enlightens, educates, explores, debates and challenges
the foundations of clinical health care knowledge and practice worldwide. Edited by
Professor Roger Watson, it is published 10 times a year by Blackwell Publishing Ltd, part
of the international Blackwell Publishing group. blackwellpublishing/jcn
About Wiley-Blackwell
Wiley-Blackwell was formed in February 2007 as a result of the
acquisition of Blackwell Publishing Ltd. by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., and its merger with
Wiley's Scientific, Technical, and Medical business. Together, the companies have
created a global publishing business with deep strength in every major academic and
professional field. Wiley-Blackwell publishes approximately 1,400 scholarly peer-reviewed
journals and an extensive collection of books with global appeal. For more information on
Wiley-Blackwell, please visit blackwellpublishing or
interscience.wiley.
Wiley
среда, 11 мая 2011 г.
Preparation, Response And Recovery From Natural And Man-Made Disasters In Tennessee, Mississippi And South Carolina
A new Oak Ridge National Laboratory initiative could help avert disasters in Tennessee, Mississippi and South Carolina and also lead to more information about climate change.
The new Community and Regional Resilience Initiative (CARRI) will be implemented in Gulfport, Miss., Memphis, and Charleston, S.C., to increase "resilience" -- the ability to prepare for, respond to and quickly recover from natural and man-made disasters -- of the three communities.
These "partner communities" will help develop and share essential knowledge, best practices, tools and techniques to strengthen a community's ability to withstand a major disaster event with minimal downtime to basic government and business services, said CARRI director Warren Edwards.
"We will be seeking insights from the experiences of the Gulfport, Memphis and Charleston communities to construct what we are calling our 'resiliency toolbox,' " Edwards said. "We hope to identify what the partner communities need to be truly resilient; use that information to assess vulnerabilities in other communities; and work with them to help them close the gaps.
"A resilient community is prepared to help prevent or minimize the loss or damage to life, property and the environment and more quickly return citizens to work, reopen businesses, and restore essential services needed for a full and swift economic recovery."
Edwards said the three cities were approached about becoming the first communities for the project because they are susceptible to both natural and man-made disasters.
"Memphis is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes because of its proximity to the New Madrid fault line," Edwards said. "And, of course, Gulfport is currently in the process of recovering from Hurricane Katrina with a strong commitment to becoming an even more resilient community in the event of future storms. Charleston has significant hurricane and earthquake threats. Having made great strides in resilience planning, the city has lessons to share."
CARRI also may provide clues to potential community response to climate change. Tom Wilbanks, ORNL Corporate Fellow and research director for CARRI, said global warming could potentially affect world weather and precipitation patterns. Government leaders are beginning to look at climate change as a national security issue and examining its impacts on ecosystems and economies.
"While the immediate purpose of the study is to examine communities' resilience to storms, this work has definite implications for climate change and will give us a better understanding of how cities will respond to the expected shifts in temperature, weather patterns and environmental conditions we expect as a result," Wilbanks said.
Edwards said CARRI could help communities move beyond their reliance on government and first responders and draw on business, education, and civic resources to prepare, plan and respond as efficiently and quickly as possible in the event of a disaster. CARRI will have access to national and international researchers and practitioners who can augment the findings from the community activities with the best information and practices available.
"All of our partner communities are already doing some great work, so we look forward to working closely with key leaders in those communities to learn from what they are doing well, to help them locate and address any gaps, and to then formalize and develop some new best practices that can be shared and used by other communities."
CARRI is part of the Southeast Region Research Initiative (SERRI). Funded by the Department of Homeland Security, SERRI seeks to provide common tools and methods of anticipating and deterring terrorist attacks and enhancing disaster response for the southeastern United States.
For more information, visit serri/.
Source: Mike Bradley
DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
The new Community and Regional Resilience Initiative (CARRI) will be implemented in Gulfport, Miss., Memphis, and Charleston, S.C., to increase "resilience" -- the ability to prepare for, respond to and quickly recover from natural and man-made disasters -- of the three communities.
These "partner communities" will help develop and share essential knowledge, best practices, tools and techniques to strengthen a community's ability to withstand a major disaster event with minimal downtime to basic government and business services, said CARRI director Warren Edwards.
"We will be seeking insights from the experiences of the Gulfport, Memphis and Charleston communities to construct what we are calling our 'resiliency toolbox,' " Edwards said. "We hope to identify what the partner communities need to be truly resilient; use that information to assess vulnerabilities in other communities; and work with them to help them close the gaps.
"A resilient community is prepared to help prevent or minimize the loss or damage to life, property and the environment and more quickly return citizens to work, reopen businesses, and restore essential services needed for a full and swift economic recovery."
Edwards said the three cities were approached about becoming the first communities for the project because they are susceptible to both natural and man-made disasters.
"Memphis is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes because of its proximity to the New Madrid fault line," Edwards said. "And, of course, Gulfport is currently in the process of recovering from Hurricane Katrina with a strong commitment to becoming an even more resilient community in the event of future storms. Charleston has significant hurricane and earthquake threats. Having made great strides in resilience planning, the city has lessons to share."
CARRI also may provide clues to potential community response to climate change. Tom Wilbanks, ORNL Corporate Fellow and research director for CARRI, said global warming could potentially affect world weather and precipitation patterns. Government leaders are beginning to look at climate change as a national security issue and examining its impacts on ecosystems and economies.
"While the immediate purpose of the study is to examine communities' resilience to storms, this work has definite implications for climate change and will give us a better understanding of how cities will respond to the expected shifts in temperature, weather patterns and environmental conditions we expect as a result," Wilbanks said.
Edwards said CARRI could help communities move beyond their reliance on government and first responders and draw on business, education, and civic resources to prepare, plan and respond as efficiently and quickly as possible in the event of a disaster. CARRI will have access to national and international researchers and practitioners who can augment the findings from the community activities with the best information and practices available.
"All of our partner communities are already doing some great work, so we look forward to working closely with key leaders in those communities to learn from what they are doing well, to help them locate and address any gaps, and to then formalize and develop some new best practices that can be shared and used by other communities."
CARRI is part of the Southeast Region Research Initiative (SERRI). Funded by the Department of Homeland Security, SERRI seeks to provide common tools and methods of anticipating and deterring terrorist attacks and enhancing disaster response for the southeastern United States.
For more information, visit serri/.
Source: Mike Bradley
DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
вторник, 10 мая 2011 г.
Drug Mitigates Toxic Effects Of Radiation In Mice
While radiation has therapeutic uses, too much radiation is damaging to cells. The most important acute side effect of radiation poisoning is damage to the bone marrow. The bone marrow produces all the normal blood cells, and therefore a high dose of radiation can lead to low blood counts of red cells, platelets and white blood cells. Humans that receive a lethal dose of radiation, as in the setting of an accidental exposure, die of bone marrow failure. While there are a few drugs that will decrease toxicity when given before exposure to radiation ("radioprotectants"); currently, no effective therapy exists to mitigate bone marrow toxicity of radiation when given after radiation exposure ("radiomitigants"). The identification of successful human radiomitigants is a top research priority of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and National Institutes of Health.
In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, a team led by UNC Lineberger Associate Director for Translational Research, Norman Sharpless, MD, provides a first example of successful radiomitigation in mammals. The investigators found that oral treatment of mice with a drug that inhibits enzymes involved in cell division caused certain groups of bone marrow cells to temporarily stop dividing (which they termed 'pharmacological quiescence' or PQ). Several decades of work have shown that cells which are not dividing are resistant to agents that damage DNA, like radiation. Workers in the Sharpless lab were then able to show that the induction of PQ immediately before or up to 20 hours after radiation exposure were able to protect mice from a lethal dose of radiation. PQ protected all the normal cells of blood, including platelets, red cells and white cells.
"We believe this study is really exciting. We have identified a simple, non-toxic pill that decreases radiation toxicity even when given after radiation exposure. We believe this approach could be of use in humans who are accidentally or intentionally exposed to lethal doses of radiation," said Sharpless, who is an associate professor of medicine and genetics at UNC's School of Medicine.
PQ relies on the use of potent and selective inhibitors of cellular enzymes called CDK4 and CDK6. Related drugs have been used extensively in humans with cancer, and CDK4/6 inhibitors are currently being tested in humans. Importantly, these drugs can be given as a pill, are chemically stable and have little toxicity. Therefore, such compounds could be stockpiled for use in the setting of an unexpected radiological disaster. The group showed that structurally different versions CDK4/6 inhibitors provided protection from radiation, whereas other types of kinase inhibitors did not.
Sharpless believe PQ may have a role in treating patients with cancer. Radiation is used in cancer therapy, and therefore PQ might benefit such patients. Also, several commonly used chemotherapy drugs cause bone marrow toxicity by damaging DNA, and therefore PQ might protect from chemotherapy toxicity in addition to radiation toxicity. A concern is that PQ might also protect a patient's tumor from the toxicity of therapeutic DNA damaging agents, but the Sharpless group showed that at least some types of cancer were not protected by inhibitors of CDK4/6. Bone marrow protection is a major issue in medical oncology, with billions of dollars of growth factors used annually in the US alone for this problem. In particular, PQ protects platelets and red cells, which are largely unmet needs in current clinical oncology.
UNC has filed patents related to these discoveries, which have been licensed to an RTP-startup company called G-Zero Therapeutics, which was co-founded in 2007 by Sharpless and researchers in Boston and San Franscisco.
This work was supported by the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Mouse Phase I Unit and grants from the Golfers Against Cancer Foundation, the Ellison Medical Foundation, the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, and the National Institutes of. J.F. Bell was supported by a career development award from the V Foundation for Cancer Research.
Source:
Ellen de Graffenreid
University of North Carolina School of Medicine
In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, a team led by UNC Lineberger Associate Director for Translational Research, Norman Sharpless, MD, provides a first example of successful radiomitigation in mammals. The investigators found that oral treatment of mice with a drug that inhibits enzymes involved in cell division caused certain groups of bone marrow cells to temporarily stop dividing (which they termed 'pharmacological quiescence' or PQ). Several decades of work have shown that cells which are not dividing are resistant to agents that damage DNA, like radiation. Workers in the Sharpless lab were then able to show that the induction of PQ immediately before or up to 20 hours after radiation exposure were able to protect mice from a lethal dose of radiation. PQ protected all the normal cells of blood, including platelets, red cells and white cells.
"We believe this study is really exciting. We have identified a simple, non-toxic pill that decreases radiation toxicity even when given after radiation exposure. We believe this approach could be of use in humans who are accidentally or intentionally exposed to lethal doses of radiation," said Sharpless, who is an associate professor of medicine and genetics at UNC's School of Medicine.
PQ relies on the use of potent and selective inhibitors of cellular enzymes called CDK4 and CDK6. Related drugs have been used extensively in humans with cancer, and CDK4/6 inhibitors are currently being tested in humans. Importantly, these drugs can be given as a pill, are chemically stable and have little toxicity. Therefore, such compounds could be stockpiled for use in the setting of an unexpected radiological disaster. The group showed that structurally different versions CDK4/6 inhibitors provided protection from radiation, whereas other types of kinase inhibitors did not.
Sharpless believe PQ may have a role in treating patients with cancer. Radiation is used in cancer therapy, and therefore PQ might benefit such patients. Also, several commonly used chemotherapy drugs cause bone marrow toxicity by damaging DNA, and therefore PQ might protect from chemotherapy toxicity in addition to radiation toxicity. A concern is that PQ might also protect a patient's tumor from the toxicity of therapeutic DNA damaging agents, but the Sharpless group showed that at least some types of cancer were not protected by inhibitors of CDK4/6. Bone marrow protection is a major issue in medical oncology, with billions of dollars of growth factors used annually in the US alone for this problem. In particular, PQ protects platelets and red cells, which are largely unmet needs in current clinical oncology.
UNC has filed patents related to these discoveries, which have been licensed to an RTP-startup company called G-Zero Therapeutics, which was co-founded in 2007 by Sharpless and researchers in Boston and San Franscisco.
This work was supported by the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Mouse Phase I Unit and grants from the Golfers Against Cancer Foundation, the Ellison Medical Foundation, the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, and the National Institutes of. J.F. Bell was supported by a career development award from the V Foundation for Cancer Research.
Source:
Ellen de Graffenreid
University of North Carolina School of Medicine
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