Reducing Measles Mortality
Measles
The Measles Initiative is a partnership led by the American Red Cross, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UN Foundation, UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO). Launched in 2001, the Measles Initiative provides technical and financial support to governments and communities on vaccination campaigns in all regions of the world. To date, the Initiative has supported the vaccination of more than 372 million children helping to reduce measles deaths by more than 60 percent globally (compared to 1999). Largely through the commitment of national governments and support from the Measles Initiative, measles deaths were reduced by more than 60 percent globally between 1999 and 2005. This surpassed the global goal of reducing measles deaths by more than 50 percent (compared to 1999).
Now, the Initiative is focusing on an ambitious new goal of lowering measles deaths worldwide by 90 percent by 2010. To reach this goal, the Initiative is supporting follow-up campaigns in Africa to vaccinate the children born since the initial vaccination campaigns, along with first-time vaccination campaigns in countries where the measles burden remains high. To learn more or make a donation, visit www.measlesinitiative.org.
STORIES OF IMPACT
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Video: Creator of the Measles Vaccine Describes Impact
Area of Involvement: Children’s Health
Dr. Samuel Katz and his team developed the measles vaccine now used globally. He recounts his experiences battling a disease that affected millions worldwide.
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Sending anti-malaria nets to refugees in Ethiopia
Area of Involvement: Children’s Health
(Part six of Elizabeth Gore's blog series on Ethiopia) Standing in Mai-Aini refugee camp in Ethiopia, I was reminded why it is imperative that the UN Foundation fills a vital gap in malaria funding by providing anti-malaria bed nets, the most cost effective method of malaria prevention, to refugees in Africa. Mai-Aini, a camp on the Ethiopia – Eritrea border, hosts 10,000 refugees with 1,200 new people arriving per day from the turbulent country of Eritrea.
RESOURCES
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Nothing But Nets 2008 Report
Issue Area: Children’s Health
In 2008, supporters of the Nothing But Nets campaign have saved millions of lives. With the funds raised, the life-saving bed nets distributed, the number of supporters reached, and the raised profile of malaria, 2008 proved to be a successful year for Nothing But Nets and, ultimately, the global effort to prevent malaria.
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Measles Initiative Fact Sheet
Issue Area: Children’s Health
