PFDs for Vaccinations in the Congo Basin
Vaccination against 5 diseases (diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio and measles) reaches more than 100 million children every year, in every corner of the world, rich and poor, urban and rural. But more than 20 million children a year do not receive all of their basic immunizations and 1,500,000 children died in 2010 due to vaccine preventable diseases. There are many challenges in reaching children with life-saving vaccines and other health services. In many places, the major one is simple logistics. Remote areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo have no electricity, no phones, no TV, and the roads are in such pitiful condition, cars cannot use them and it can take 12 hours to go 50 miles by motorcycle.
In the Equator Region of DRC health workers can only supervise and deliver supplies by boat. But many are uncomfortable going by boat because they can’t swim and have no life jackets. The donation of a life jacket would make it possible for supervisors and others to travel safely by boat to deliver vaccines and other life-saving health interventions.
If you would like more information, feel free to contact Karen at kxw232@gmail.com.