Nothing But Nets in Côte d'Ivoire

The Republic of Côte d’Ivoire is located in West Africa with a population of more than 18 million people, comprising 60 different ethnic groups. After gaining independence from France in 1960, Côte d’Ivoire was West Africa’s most prosperous nation. As one of the world’s largest exporter of cocoa, coffee and palm oil, Côte d’Ivoire saw its economy grow roughly 10% each year.

However, the world recession in the early 1980’s hit the country hard and the next 20 years saw tougher times in Côte d’Ivoire. In more recent years, the country has suffered from significant periods of crisis, beginning with a coup in 1999 and then the conflict in 2002 which essentially split the country in two between the north and the south. With a peace agreement signed in spring 2007, general elections are expected to take place in the coming year. 

Often times with such conflict, it is difficult for countries to maintain strong health systems. Unfortunately, this was the case in Côte d’Ivoire, as the crisis drove thousands of doctors, nurses and pharmacists to leave conflict zones. Malaria remains a leading cause of death in Côte d’Ivoire, where malaria rates have been on the rise since 1996. The country is far from reaching the Abuja targets established in 2000 which call for a reduction in malaria deaths by 50 percent by 2010. But with support from international partners, including Nothing But Nets and the United Methodist Church, Côte d’Ivoire will be making strides in the effort to combat malaria.

From November 11-15, 2008, Côte d’Ivoire is undertaking a national integrated measles campaign to provide over 3 million children under the age of 5 with measles vaccines, Vitamin A and de-worming medicine. Over one million long-lasting insecticide-treated nets will be integrated into this mass campaign to cover 18 districts in Côte d’Ivoire (these are districts which have not received bed nets from other means to date). And together with support from the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, Nothing But Nets has been able to provide 855,000 of those nets.

Under the leadership of the Côte d’Ivoire Ministry of Health through its National Program in the Fight against Malaria (PNLP), the integrated health campaign is the result of a strong collaboration among local and international partners. These partners include the Measles Initiative (led by the American Red Cross, the United Nations Foundation, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF and the World Health Organization); Nothing But Nets; the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in partnership with the denomination’s Global Health Initiative and the Cote d’Ivoire Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church; the government of Japan; Population Services International (PSI); the Côte d'Ivoire Red Cross; and others.

Watch Nothing But Nets Deputy Director Adrianna Logalbo's video report from one of the distribution sites:

Read Adrianna blogs from Côte d’Ivoire:

Singing in the Rain in Côte d'Ivoire, 11/10/2008
Final Preparations, 11/10/2008
C'est Gratuit!, 11/11/2008
Blue Pinkies, 11/12/2008
Getting Advanced, 11/13/2008
Meet Dorcass, 11/13/2008
Volunteers play key role in net distributions, 11/14/2008
Hanging it up, 11/15/2008

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A delegation of 35 United Methodists from the Texas Annual Conference traveled to Côte d’Ivoire to observe the campaign and help distribute the life-saving bed nets to children and their families.

Below are some excerpts from the delegation's blog on the ground:

Eleanor Colvin, Nov. 13: Time to go? There are at least 200 mothers still waiting to protect their babies from diseases that never threatened me or my beloved nieces...

Josh Hale, Nov. 10: We also tried out a net (again, pictures soon!) and in general learned a lot more about both this specific campaign and what it means for the future.  I am particularly excited about the impact this partnership model will have for the next 50 years of health delivery!...

Eleanor Colvin, Nov. 9: ...if you haven’t been blessed with an opportunity to give, your chance is coming… Our continued commitment to covering the country of Cote d’Ivoire with long-lasting, insecticide treated nets that stop the spread of malaria will save lives — lives that are worth it!

To read more stories from the 35 members of the Texas Annual Conference in Côte d’Ivoire, you can check out their website, here. Or you can subscribe to their blog feed: 
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