Reporting from Côte d’Ivoire

Submitted by Elizabeth McKee Gore on March 21, 2007

During the past few years, the world has watched Côte d’Ivoire in a state of crisis due to the continued fighting between the north and the south. Yet another major crisis exists just under the political surface – “paludisme.” (For those of you who are like me and don’t speak French, we are talking about the Ivory Coast and malaria.) On behalf of the UN Foundation, I have the opportunity to visit this beautiful area in West Africa, accompanied by Bishop Janice Riggle Huie, leader of the Texas United Methodist Church. We are here to understand the state of malaria and other crippling diseases in Côte d’Ivoire. Malaria is the cause of 80% of the hospital visits in this country.

Today in Abidjan, we met with U.S. Ambassador Aubrey Hooks. He stated that his largest concern, beyond the political unrest, is the 17 million people here at risk of dying of malaria. The Ambassador also said there are very few mosquito nets in the country and they are applying for a Global Fund grant to aid malaria control. The Measles Initiative is scheduled to facilitate an integrated child health campaign here in 2008, but before then we all have to fill the gaping hole of 4.5 million nets needed in Côte d’Ivoire. To me, that is 4.5 million reasons to Send a Net and Save a Life.

Elizabeth McKee
www.NothingButNets.net

Posted in Nothing But Nets Blogs Elizabeth McKee Gore's Blog

Comments

This is great

Created by NDZULO TUECHE on 07 Aug 08 01:53 PM CDT

Dear Elizabeth Gore. Thank you for being so involved in the fight against malaria. In Cameroon where I was born and here in Cote d'Ivoire where I live, the need for insecticide treated bed nets is high. Families do not always have enough money to buy the nets and those have the nets may not always know how to use them properly. However, this is great! I mean your actions and devotion to this cause: saving lives through the use of nets. Bravo and all my encouragements in your initiatives to raise nets and distribute them to the needy. With all good wishes.