The Measles Initiative
American Red Cross
IFRC World Youth Meeting 2009
International Services Mission
The American Red Cross International Services
helps vulnerable people and communities
around the world prepare for, respond to and
recover from natural disasters, humanitarian
crises and health emergencies through
mobilizing the power of the International Red
Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
What is Measles?
• Acute, viral disease that can
lead to death
• Transmitted through the air
from person-to-person
• Highly contagious
Measles: A Child Killer
• Prior to the Measles Initiative, almost 1 million
children died each year
• It costs less than $1 to vaccinate a child
What is the Measles Initiative?
• A partnership committed to reducing measles
deaths -- led by the American Red Cross, with
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
UN Foundation, UNICEF and World Health
Organization;
• Provides technical and financial assistance to
governments to carry-out mass vaccination
campaigns;
• Goal: to reduce measles deaths by 90% by 2010
(compared to 2000).
94 % of all measles deaths
No second opportunity for measles immunization (47)
Role of the American Red Cross
• Partner coordination
• Technical support to incountry partners
• Communication and
advocacy
• Resource mobilization
Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Chairman of the
American Red Cross, in Madagascar (October 2007)
Supporting National Societies
The American Red Cross
supports National Red Cross
and Red Crescent Societies by:
1) Providing technical
assistance;
2) Training local volunteers
and health workers; and
3) Providing financial support.
An American Red Cross technical advisor inspects
supplies during an integrated health campaign
Social Mobilization in Africa and Asia
Bringing the message to communities
Mass Vaccination Campaigns
Integrated Campaigns
Vitamin
A
>186 million
Polio
Deworming
Vaccination
Tablets
>95 million
>81 million
Mosquito
Nets
>37 million
Nationwide second measles opportunity introduced (46)
No second opportunity introduced (1)
Accomplishments
Since 2001, the
Measles Initiative
has:
1. Supported campaigns in
more than 60 countries,
vaccinating more than
600 million children;
2. Improved surveillance
and strengthened health
systems
A Red Cross volunteer marks a baby’s finger
in Madagascar
Estimated Measles Deaths 2000-2007
1 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0
m e a sle s d e a t h s
8 0 0 ,0 0 0
6 0 0 ,0 0 0
4 0 0 ,0 0 0
2 0 0 ,0 0 0
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Estimated Measles Deaths, 2007
67%
= 1000 death
Current Challenges
• 540 children die every
day from measles
• In 2007, more than 23
million one-year-old
children did not receive
a measles vaccine
through national health
systems
American Red Cross
Chapter Participation
• 40 States with active chapters
• 121 Chapters raised funds between July
2007 and June 2008
• Chapters hold events that raise anywhere
from $100 to $11,000
Band Together and “Come Bat” Measles
Highlights from 2008:
Mat Morgan
Angela Bingham
How You Can Get Involved
• Help raise awareness within your network of
friends, family and coworkers
• Organize activities and events to raise funds
The Red Cross has tools to help you jump start
activities and be successful in your outreach efforts.
Examples: One-on-one support, brochures, fact
sheets, photos, videos and networking opportunities
Youth Activity Ideas
In schools…
• Sell lapel pins or postcards
• Host a used book sale
• Make a presentation to your
classmates
• Sell paper dolls for $1 and hang on the wall
• Hand out flyers at schools, dances, games
For more information
Contact:
measles@usa.redcross.org
Visit:
www.measlesinitiative.org
Thank you!