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Polio
outbreak in tsunami-ravaged Indonesia requires three-pronged approach
says Red Cross Red Crescent 25 October 2005 Communities in Aceh Province, Indonesia, already suffering in the wake of the tsunami that took hundreds of thousands of lives and destroyed hundreds of square kilometers in December 2004, now face a possible new menace with the first cases of polio for a decade recorded in Aceh despite an ongoing vaccination campaign. Some 309 cases of polio have been reported across 10 provinces in Indonesia since April. International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent officials urge a three-pronged approach to keep the spread of the childhood crippler in check: comprehensive wide-ranging vaccinations, grassroots people to people awareness campaigns to urge parents to have their children inoculated, and functioning safe water systems to inhibit waterborne disease. As part of the Indonesian Ministry of Health’s polio outbreak response, the Indonesian Red Cross is working with UNICEF and the World Health Organization in a nation-wide immunization campaign to stem further spread of the disease. In the second round of vaccinations last month, 24 million children, 0-5 years old, received the polio oral vaccine at more than 250,000 sites. Door-to-door follow-up was carried out the following day to inoculate children who may not have been at those locations. Up to 750,000 vaccinators participated in the two–day program. Red Cross Red Crescent provided logistical and financial support. Red Cross Red Crescent Societies from around the world are taking the lead in responding to the enormous challenge of providing safe water. Each week, more that ten million litres of fresh drinking water, benefiting more than 160,000 people, are produced by the Red Cross Red Crescent water and sanitation teams in tsunami affected countries. “As well as producing millions of litres of drinking water, we’ve cleaned thousands of wells which are filled with polluted water and debris, or were destroyed after the tsunami, and have taken on the job of upgrading the water and sanitation facilities in government camps while land issues are resolved,” said Fidelis Chulu Red Cross Red Crescent water and sanitation coordinator based in Aceh. “These initiatives form part of a holistic water and sanitation recovery program which will ensure sewage systems, latrines and safe water supplies are provided alongside permanent dwellings.” The impact of the tsunami such as close living quarters, shared drinking water and/or unsafe water, and a seriously compromised health system, creates conditions that render the people particularly vulnerable. “Because camps by definition require people to live in extremely close proximity to each other,” says Johan Schaar, the International Federation’s Special Representative for the tsunami, “the risk of unsanitary conditions is increased, and diseases like polio are spread though sewage-contaminated water. We must redouble our efforts to protect vulnerable communities.” “In the initial months after the tsunami struck, aid groups did an outstanding job ensuring that no significant epidemics doubled the misery of already devastated communities in all of the affected countries,” continues Schaar. “However, this outbreak demonstrates that we must remain vigilant. It is vigilance in the short term, the desire and ability to stay the course over the next few years and careful planning involving local populations that will help rebuild tsunami affected communities.” For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: In Geneva: Ann Stingle, Tsunami Press Officer Tel. + 44 7843 025 065 Pete Haydon, Tsunami Operations Media Officer Tel. + 41 79 308 9804 / +41 22 730 4426 Ann Stingle, Tsunami Press Officer Tel. + 44 7843 025 065 Siân Bowen, Head of Media Service Tel. + 41 79 217 3388 / +41 22 730 4428 Media Service Duty Phone (Out of hours) Tel: + 41 79 416 38 81 Information delegates in the tsunami-affected regions: Virgil Grandfield, Information Delegate, Indonesia Tel. + 62 812 10 48 207 The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. © International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies |
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