"The dedicated volunteers from local Red Cross and Red Crescent societies are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with community leaders to provide vital health information about malaria and deliver hope to families," said McElveen-Hunter.
Malaria is a severe problem in Haiti, where families are particularly vulnerable due to the challenging health conditions. Through a malaria prevention program, the American Red Cross is supporting the distribution of more than 12,500 nets to families in six vulnerable areas. In addition to mosquito nets, the American Red Cross and Haitian Red Cross have initiated a pilot program to provide high-risk families with insecticide-treated curtains, which prevent mosquitoes from entering homes through doors and windows.
Suzette Celestin of Rue St. Andre in northeastern Haiti received a net for her family. "The Red Cross volunteers gave us a good training that helped us a lot," said Celestin. "Everything I learned I try to put in practice, so now we can start screaming victory against the mosquitoes."
The American Red Cross also works with partners in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to coordinate the distribution of nets following international disasters, when people are particularly vulnerable to disease. For example, the American Red Cross helped distribute more than 40,000 bed nets following devastating cyclones in Madagascar and flooding in Sudan and Mexico.
Later this year, the American Red Cross will support additional malaria prevention activities in Mozambique, Indonesia and other countries helping protect many more people against this deadly disease.
You can help those affected by countless crises around the world each
year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International
Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support
through supplies, technical assistance and other sup
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