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Cameroon: Over 35,000 children vaccinated against polio and measles

YAOUNDE / NEW YORK / GENEVA, February 21, 2008 - Over 35,000 infants and children were vaccinated against at least one of measles and poliomyelitis in Cameroon's north-eastern district of Kousséri, between 13 and 17 February, in an operation led by the Cameroonian Ministry of Health, the United Nations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including Médecins Sans Frontières - Switzerland (MSF-CH) in particular.

"Whenever there are population movements, the potential for epidemics substantially increases", said Sophie de Caen, United Nations Resident Coordinator for Cameroon, referring to the inflow of Chadian refugees into the country's north-east earlier this month. "We have immediately taken action, to ensure that all children in the affected area were protected against the most dangerous diseases", she stated.

Following armed fighting in the Chadian capital N'Djamena, which erupted on 02 February, at least 30,000 Chadians had crossed into Cameroon, reaching Kousséri in the country's north-east. Most found refuge in two temporary sites, while many were hosted in schools, churches, and private homes. "The hospitality of the local community has indeed been admirable", Jacques Franquin, Representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the country, had earlier stated.

"The vaccination campaign targeted all infants and children comprised in applicable age groups, across the district, ensuring protection for Cameroonian and refugee children alike", said Silvia Luciani, acting Representative of the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) in Cameroon. "Mass immunisations are designed to reach as many children as possible, in order to provide the greatest achievable coverage. They are vital to child survival in any environment, peaceful or otherwise", Ms. Luciani explained.

All infants and children aged above six months and below 15 years were vaccinated against measles, while the vaccination against poliomyelitis targeted all those aged under five years, including newborns.

Figures released today show that a total of 35,615 children were vaccinated against poliomyelitis, while 32,624 were vaccinated against measles. Vitamin A supplement tablets were also provided to approximately 34,000 children along with the vaccinations. "Besides potentially averting deadly epidemics, we have been able to seize this opportunity, to improve the children's overall health and immunity system through the provision of vitamin A", explained Hélène Mambu-ma-Disu, Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Cameroon.

The operation was possible thanks to funds amounting to US$ 60,000 provided by the Ministry of Health, UNHCR, UNICEF, WHO, the Red Cross Movement, MSF-CH, and the Organization of Coordination for the Control of Endemic Diseases in Central Africa. It was conducted in record time, according to the organizers. A total of 110 vaccinators were employed, who were all trained on 12 February on the eve of the campaign's start.

Reliable estimates of Chadian refugees currently in Cameroon are not available at present. Official registration of the refugees however started on 16 February, at the same time as UNHCR began offering them transport to a newly equipped camp in the village of Maltam, 32 km away from Kousséri. Many refugees, however, are believed to have returned to Chad following an amelioration of security conditions in their country.

For further information on the vaccination campaign, please contact:

Christyne Bahringer,
Information Specialist,
United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF)
Tel: +237-79776321
Email: cbahringer@hotmail.com

For other further information on Chadian refugees in Cameroon and on Chad, please contact:

Maurizio Giuliano,
Public Information Officer,
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA),N'Djamena
Tel: +237-79650182 / +235-6053892
Email: giuliano@un.org

Katy Thiam,
Associate Information Officer,
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Abéché, Chad
Tel: +237-79691303 / +235-6201542
Email: thiamk@un.org

Stephanie Bunker,
Spokesperson,
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), New York
Tel: +1-917-3675126
Email: bunker@un.org

Elizabeth Byrs,
Spokesperson,
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Geneva
Tel: +41-22-9172653
Email: byrs@un.org