Reaching every child: life-saving vaccines for conflict-affected communities in Cameroon
Zizikwe's Community Health Workers: Driving Cameroon's Big Catch-Up
In the remote community of Zizikwe, nestled within the Akwadja health area of Ako health district in the Northwest Region of Cameroon, children are among the most vulnerable victims of the ongoing crisis. With displacement disrupting healthcare services and geographical isolation making access even more difficult, immunization rates remain alarmingly low.
Zizikwe faces a unique set of challenges. The treacherous "Monkey Bridge," often impassable during the rainy season, limits access to the nearest health facility. Poor road conditions and high transportation costs further complicate outreach efforts, making it difficult for pregnant women and children to access essential healthcare. The security situation adds another layer of complexity, restricting movement and hindering humanitarian efforts. Access to these areas remains a persistent challenge, but the resilience of community health workers who cross the bridge at all times to reach those in need cannot be undermined.
Despite these obstacles, community health workers (CHWs) remain on the frontlines, determined to protect children from preventable diseases. With the support of UNICEF’s "Big Catch Up" initiative, CHWs and nurses have been mobilized to reach children who have missed routine immunizations. Through community engagement, awareness campaigns, and targeted vaccination efforts, these dedicated health workers are bridging the gap between life-saving vaccines and the children who need them most.
However, CHWs continue to face enormous hurdles. The lack of basic resources, such as raincoats, boots, and umbrellas, makes their work even more difficult, particularly during the rainy season. Limited funding for transportation prevents them from reaching the most isolated areas, and inadequate visibility materials create mistrust within communities. Yet, these frontline workers persevere, driven by their commitment to safeguarding children’s health.
UNICEF is committed to supporting community health workers and expanding immunization efforts in conflict-affected areas like Zizikwe. But we cannot do it alone. Your support can help provide the resources needed to reach every child, no matter how remote. Join us in protecting the future—because every child deserves a chance to have a healthy life.
UNICEF is committed to supporting community health workers and expanding immunization efforts in conflict-affected areas like Zizikwe. To address the issue of zero-dose children, UNICEF employs a multisectoral strategy that integrates high-impact interventions to improve health, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) outcomes. This approach aims to reduce the number of zero-dose and under-vaccinated children by strengthening cross-sectoral collaboration and addressing the deprivations faced by these children and their communities.
Through initiatives like the "Big Catch Up," UNICEF mobilizes community health workers and nurses to reach children who have missed routine immunizations. These efforts include community engagement, awareness campaigns, and targeted vaccination drives, ensuring that even the most vulnerable children receive lifesaving vaccines.
But we cannot do it alone. Your support can help provide the resources needed to reach every child, no matter how remote. Join us in protecting the future—because every child deserves a chance to have a healthy life.
