Collaboration is at the heart of the Measles & Rubella Partnership. When we work together, we can move more swiftly toward our shared goal: a world free from measles and rubella. With funding provided by M&RP, UNICEF, in partnership with the American Red Cross and the United Nations Foundation, has implemented several successful immunization campaigns in recent months. We’d like to highlight two campaigns in Paraguay and Lebanon that illustrate the impact of immunization.
Reaching families in Paraguay
In Luque, Paraguay, UNICEF and Habitat for Humanity supported a community seminar with dental, medical, and pediatric services. The seminar’s goal was to not only provide medical care, but also to bolster education around the right to identity and health.
Further south, Marina Colmán lives in Santa Maria with her five children. Marina notes that many in her neighborhood have been hesitant about the safety of vaccines. “Parents often don’t vaccinate their children because they think it’s unnecessary or dangerous,” Marina explains. After speaking with the Health Center and learning more about the protection that vaccines could provide her family, Marina has seen the value of immunizations firsthand: “Vaccines save lives.”
Today, all five of Marina’s children are vaccinated and healthy.
Mitigating a measles threat in Lebanon
In the fall of 2023, numerous measles cases were reported in the Sabra refugee camp in Lebanon. The camp and surrounding neighborhood are host to thousands of families, many of whom have a deep distrust of authorities. Combined with the restricted access to the area, people within this population are especially vulnerable to disease outbreaks.
When measles cases were reported, UNICEF and its partners began an immunization drive to reach unvaccinated children. The initiative included mobile vaccine units, awareness campaigns, primary health center referrals, as well as coordination with local leaders, organizations, and community members. As a result, 4,123 vaccine doses were administered, protecting at-risk children from disease.
Featured Image ©UNICEF
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