Published: 5 April 2004
Following a recent upsurge in violence, the Côte d’Ivoire government and the World Health Organization have asked the Côte d’Ivoire Red Cross Society (CRCI) to take the lead role in mobilizing the population in Abidjan district for a crucial polio vaccination campaign. The campaign is part of a major synchronized polio vaccination effort launched in 10 West and Central African countries.
“This coordinated campaign is of critical importance to the global polio eradication effort due to an ongoing outbreak of polio in previously polio-free countries, including Côte d’Ivoire,” says Nick Farrell, head of the Federation’s Africa Health Initiative. “It is imperative the campaign proceeds as the effectiveness of the synchronized campaign could be compromised if a vaccination cycle is missed.”
The Ministry of Health and WHO asked the CRCI to take over responsibility for social mobilization during the campaign in Abidjan since the groups that were to have carried out the operation were unable to perform the tasks required due to the security situation in the city.
“The Côte d’Ivoire Red Cross has already successfully performed this task in the west of the country, and it is a tribute to the faith of the government in the Red Cross and the courage and the willingness of the Society to step in at short notice do what no other agency was prepared to do,” said Eric Michel-Sellier, head of the International Federation’s office in Abidjan.