The final few nets
April 8, 2010
Today was the final net distribution day in Burundi. With the exception of a few sites that will remain open tomorrow to ensure all nets are received, this portion of the campaign is over.
On the final day we visited a few more distribution sites. Many had begun to slow down, indicating that the families in that area have all received their nets. As we drove around, I couldn't help but notice the many people walking along the street with nets. We saw nets in baskets, arms and balanced on heads. We also saw nets hanging on clothes lines in the shade to air out before being placed over sleeping spaces, an indication of the strong communication activities of Burundi Red Cross volunteers.
After a long four days of work, the Red Cross team that worked on the campaign met for a final meeting and celebratory dinner. This dinner included mostly Burundi Red Cross staff members, but also employees from the Canadian Red Cross, Belgium Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and other health partners in Burundi.
Dr. Jessie Nzenza Kanhutu, the heath and care coordinator for the IFRC's Easter Africa Zone, commented on the dedication of the Burundi Red Cross and the team work shown throughout the distribution.
"This campaign brought together the humanitarian community," she said. "Imagine, all this work and effort to kill a female Anopheles mosquito so that it will not have a chance to hurt male and female humans."
Who knew that killing a mosquito would be cause for celebration, but in a malaria endemic country like Burundi, it certainly is. Cheers to that!
Today was the final net distribution day in Burundi. With the exception of a few sites that will remain open tomorrow to ensure all nets are received, this portion of the campaign is over.
On the final day we visited a few more distribution sites. Many had begun to slow down, indicating that the families in that area have all received their nets. As we drove around, I couldn't help but notice the many people walking along the street with nets. We saw nets in baskets, arms and balanced on heads. We also saw nets hanging on clothes lines in the shade to air out before being placed over sleeping spaces, an indication of the strong communication activities of Burundi Red Cross volunteers.
After a long four days of work, the Red Cross team that worked on the campaign met for a final meeting and celebratory dinner. This dinner included mostly Burundi Red Cross staff members, but also employees from the Canadian Red Cross, Belgium Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and other health partners in Burundi.
Dr. Jessie Nzenza Kanhutu, the heath and care coordinator for the IFRC's Easter Africa Zone, commented on the dedication of the Burundi Red Cross and the team work shown throughout the distribution.
"This campaign brought together the humanitarian community," she said. "Imagine, all this work and effort to kill a female Anopheles mosquito so that it will not have a chance to hurt male and female humans."
Who knew that killing a mosquito would be cause for celebration, but in a malaria endemic country like Burundi, it certainly is. Cheers to that!
Labels: Burundi, canadian red cross, malaria, malaria bites, mosquito nets
posted by Alison Frehlich at 8:04 PM
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