Arrival in Freetown
Peering out the open porthole window of the rugged Sikorsky helicopter the night of my arrival I tried to catch a glimpse of the city below only to be thwarted by the near total darkness. The Atlantic Ocean, black as the storm filled night sky, blended seamlessly against the steep mountains of the dense jungle. Between them lay Freetown, evidenced only by a few specs of light but otherwise obscured by the absence of wide-scale electricity. Noting my anticipation, I conceded to the fact that despite any previous knowledge or preparation, a degree of the unknown awaited.
In this way my arrival serves as a fitting metaphor for this, my first overseas mission with the Red Cross. I have come as a Junior Delegate, and join the Canadian Red Cross delegate team in supporting the Sierra Leone Red Cross’ part in the Measles and Malaria Campaign, an integrated child survival initiative.
Still recovering and rebuilding from a brutal decade long conflict, Sierra Leone, long one of the poorest countries in Africa – the poorest continent on earth, was just recently ranked at the bottom, 176 out of 177, again this year on the UN Human Development Index.
In a country where the average life expectancy is 40, health issues have a major social and economic impact. This is why issues such as malaria have been identified by the UN in the Millennium Development Goals as critical.
In Sierra Leone there are many health issues; virtually every imaginable major disease is present here. To address them the Government of Sierra Leone is working together with non-governmental aid organization, both domestic and international. The Measles and Malaria Campaign being undertaken is an example of how many diverse partners can come together to address complex health and social issues.
The Sierra Leone Ministry of Health, WHO, and UNICEF have worked together with the Sierra Leone Red Cross who, with the support of the Canadian Red Cross, has undertaken the incorporation of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Bed Net distribution into the existing measles vaccination campaign. With its large volunteer base the Sierra Leone Red Cross is contributing to the social mobilization of communities for vaccination and Bed Net use while the Canadian Red Cross supplies technical support and, with funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the nets.
Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Bed Nets have proven to be an effective and affordable way of greatly reducing morbidity and mortality resulting from malaria when integrated with other critical interventions. When nets are distributed to the most vulnerable, children and pregnant women, all round infant mortality is significantly decreased.
Malaria is the number one killer of children under five in Africa, killing one child every 30 seconds, and Sierra Leone is one of the most affected countries. There is no vaccine for malaria and thus no ‘magic bullet’ solution. Instead a multi-pronged approach including prevention, early detection and accessible and affordable treatment is required. Interventions such as this are critical for countries such as Sierra Leone whose children deserve a better future.
So that’s a bit of background on the program… (well a bit more than a bit :) As for my role, I’m here to work with Dr. Marcy Erksine, the Africa Malaria Advisor and the rest of the Canadian Red Cross Delegate team; Colin MacKay – Project Manager, Doug Mole – Logistics, Hlin Baldvinsdottir – Finance, and Jackie Thereot – Communications Officer. All are from Canada except Hlin who is from Iceland but who is an honorary Canadian if I ever met one. When I arrived I received a warm welcome from the team, most of who have been here for six months. There is a great deal of experience amongst the group and I have already begun to learn a great deal from each of them… And on top of it, they are a fun group and always good for a laugh.
As the Canadian Red Cross’ Junior Delegate, an internship funded by CIDA, I have been fortunate to have been provided with such a unique opportunity to gain valuable first hand experience in the field of humanitarian aid. I look forward to learning as much as I can while contributing to such an important initiative but I hope also to use this opportunity to be a link to Canadians interested in international aid programs and the work of the Red Cross – especially Canadian youth. Having volunteered with the Humanitarian and Youth Programs of the Canadian Red Cross, I understand the importance of the role they play and hope to support their work in any way I can. So please, ask questions and write comments. These are simply my own thoughts and views and as such, they reflect only one of countless perspectives, so you are welcome to add your own.
In this way my arrival serves as a fitting metaphor for this, my first overseas mission with the Red Cross. I have come as a Junior Delegate, and join the Canadian Red Cross delegate team in supporting the Sierra Leone Red Cross’ part in the Measles and Malaria Campaign, an integrated child survival initiative.
Still recovering and rebuilding from a brutal decade long conflict, Sierra Leone, long one of the poorest countries in Africa – the poorest continent on earth, was just recently ranked at the bottom, 176 out of 177, again this year on the UN Human Development Index.
In a country where the average life expectancy is 40, health issues have a major social and economic impact. This is why issues such as malaria have been identified by the UN in the Millennium Development Goals as critical.
In Sierra Leone there are many health issues; virtually every imaginable major disease is present here. To address them the Government of Sierra Leone is working together with non-governmental aid organization, both domestic and international. The Measles and Malaria Campaign being undertaken is an example of how many diverse partners can come together to address complex health and social issues.
The Sierra Leone Ministry of Health, WHO, and UNICEF have worked together with the Sierra Leone Red Cross who, with the support of the Canadian Red Cross, has undertaken the incorporation of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Bed Net distribution into the existing measles vaccination campaign. With its large volunteer base the Sierra Leone Red Cross is contributing to the social mobilization of communities for vaccination and Bed Net use while the Canadian Red Cross supplies technical support and, with funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the nets.
Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Bed Nets have proven to be an effective and affordable way of greatly reducing morbidity and mortality resulting from malaria when integrated with other critical interventions. When nets are distributed to the most vulnerable, children and pregnant women, all round infant mortality is significantly decreased.
Malaria is the number one killer of children under five in Africa, killing one child every 30 seconds, and Sierra Leone is one of the most affected countries. There is no vaccine for malaria and thus no ‘magic bullet’ solution. Instead a multi-pronged approach including prevention, early detection and accessible and affordable treatment is required. Interventions such as this are critical for countries such as Sierra Leone whose children deserve a better future.
So that’s a bit of background on the program… (well a bit more than a bit :) As for my role, I’m here to work with Dr. Marcy Erksine, the Africa Malaria Advisor and the rest of the Canadian Red Cross Delegate team; Colin MacKay – Project Manager, Doug Mole – Logistics, Hlin Baldvinsdottir – Finance, and Jackie Thereot – Communications Officer. All are from Canada except Hlin who is from Iceland but who is an honorary Canadian if I ever met one. When I arrived I received a warm welcome from the team, most of who have been here for six months. There is a great deal of experience amongst the group and I have already begun to learn a great deal from each of them… And on top of it, they are a fun group and always good for a laugh.
As the Canadian Red Cross’ Junior Delegate, an internship funded by CIDA, I have been fortunate to have been provided with such a unique opportunity to gain valuable first hand experience in the field of humanitarian aid. I look forward to learning as much as I can while contributing to such an important initiative but I hope also to use this opportunity to be a link to Canadians interested in international aid programs and the work of the Red Cross – especially Canadian youth. Having volunteered with the Humanitarian and Youth Programs of the Canadian Red Cross, I understand the importance of the role they play and hope to support their work in any way I can. So please, ask questions and write comments. These are simply my own thoughts and views and as such, they reflect only one of countless perspectives, so you are welcome to add your own.
P.S. Access to a computer has been a bit difficult with infrequent electricity and the amount of things going on right now but I promise to be back soon.
1 Comments:
I am interested in internation aid programs that i can participate in. Can you advise me how you have done this, I am a 28 year old mother and military wife. I would love the opportunity to help, my skills range from Office Administration, Customer Service, Canadian Army Reserves. Is there something that needs to be done aside from becoming a doctor that could be of use. I have a love and compassion for children and people and really want to help.
Post a Comment
<< Home