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Press ReleaseImmunizations begin in quake zoneRead the latest on UNICEF emergency relief efforts from the field 13 February, 2001: In the dry desert landscape of Gujarat, brittle from two years of drought and laid to ruin by an earthquake, even a few drops of water can be hard to come by. A few drops of measles vaccine can be even harder. Yet as water tankers filled with safe water rumble down dusty roads to bring reli ef to hundreds of thousands of people left homeless by the quake, measles vaccine - harder to keep fresh and trickier to target and deliver - is getting through, too, albeit less visibly. Carried on foot, packed into cold-storage containers that vaccinators strap to their backs or carry in slings, measles vaccine is slowly making its way into the heart of the most affected quake districts.
The United Nations Children's Fund said today that in just the first two days of an important vaccination campaign, more than 14,000 children under the age of five had been reached. Eighty teams of health workers have fanned out across the quake zone to deliver the measles vaccine and a dose of Vitamin A, which strengthen children's immune systems and helps protect them against opportunistic diseases. The highest-risk time of year for measles in Gujarat does not arrive for about two months, but UNICEF said a campaign now will help reduce the chances of an outbreak later. "Measles can spread very quickly in an unprotected population," said Dr. Y.N. Mathur, the head of UNICEF's state office in Gujarat. "Especially with large numbers of children sharing confined tents, measles can spread quite rapidly from child to child. This is a preventive measure." UNICEF, which supported the state government by supplying the vaccine and syringes, said the campaign aims to reach an estimated 400,000 children under five in a first phase. A second, broader round set to begin in about ten days will seek to reach several hundred thousand more. The vaccination teams are made up of local health care workers and volunteer doctors and nurses. "It may take some time to restore a full range of basic health services," Dr. Mathur said. "But a campaign like this shows what can be done even in the toughest conditions. It's an important harbinger of a reviving health care network." The government-led campaign is supported by UNICEF, WHO and local and international NGOs. Low Number of Unaccompanied Children Reported GHANDINAGAR - Following a state-sponsored survey in quake-affected areas, the government reported on Monday that it had so far identified fewer than 100 children who had lost both parents in the earthquake. The exact number as of Monday was 94 but the search continues. The government reported that all the children are presently being cared for by members of their extended families. UNICEF said, however, that despite the strength of the extended family tradition in Gujarat, close monitoring would be required to ensure that families are able to sustain proper care in the long term. Several planning meetings have been held among state authorities, NGOs and UNICEF to establish a system for monitoring, and a number of organizations will take part in the follow-up. In addition, a child help line has been set up for the key towns, including Anjar, Bachau, Bhuj, Gandhidham and Rapar. Mobile crews managed by the Indian NGO Helpage are continuing to seek out possible additional unaccompanied children in the quake zone. As part of a broad relief program for quake victims, the government has said that on an interim basis it will provide 500 rupees per month (US $12) to the caretakers of the children to help offset expenses. The state government has also announced a moratorium on adoptions of quake orphans. The measure is intended to ensure that every possible avenue of family reunification has been exhausted before children are offered for adoption. "We think that's a very positive approach," Mathur said. "Ensuring the protection of these children and giving extended families every opportunity to determine how best to care for them is an important priority." * * * * * For further information, please contact: Liza Barrie, Chief UNICEF Media, New York, Jehane Sedky-Lavandero, UNICEF
Media, New York, Lynn Geldof, UNICEF Media, Geneva,
In India, young earthquake survivors
return to school Thurs,14 June 2001 |
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