“JOINTLY
RESPONSIBLE FOR LIFE….
….JOINTLY
INVOLVED AGAINST MALARIA”
Political engagement and effective actions
September
27, 2003 – September 27, 2004
Introduction
During
our meeting in Rome This year at our meeting in February we decided, for the first time in
our history, to unite our energies as a Vincentian Family in a common “political
action” aimed at the eradication of malaria in the word.
Some
branches of the Vincentian Family making this choice are the following:
-
International Association of Charities
-
Congregation of the Mission
-
Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul
-
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
-
Vincentian Marian Youth
-
Sisters of Charity of St. Jeanne Antide Thouret
-
Association of the Miraculous Medal
-
Vincentian Lay Missionaries
Other
branches of the Vincentian Family may join this team in the campaign against
malaria.
All
the resources of the several branches of the Vincentian Family should merge to
fight this scourge through a committee appointed to publicize this campaign.
Our
common slogan will be:
“Jointly
responsible for life, jointly involved against Malaria”
General
description of the project:
1.
Purpose of this document
2.
Rough description of malaria
3.
Some data about the situation
4.
Some ethical motivations
5.
Suggested ways of involvement
6.
Information and diffusion strategies
7.
Planning
8.
Evaluations of results
9.
Web page addresses
10.
Malaria committee members
1.
PURPOSE
OF THIS DOCUMENT
The
purpose of this document is to give a direction for the publicizing of the
idea to all the groups of the Vincentian Family, both leaders and general
members, which agree to work on this project with political actions and
effective actions.
2.
ROUGH
DESCRIPTION OF MALARIA
Malaria
is a disease transferred to humans by certain mosquitoes, called anopheles. This
kind of disease is responsible for the death of many people. The
main symptoms are: shivering, high fever and sweating, severe headache, muscle
and joint pain, vomiting and diarrhea. There
are several kinds of malaria, of which the most dangerous is cerebral malaria
(plasmodium falciparum). It is
important to realize that this disease can be treated successfully and that it
is possible to recover and to avoid more severe consequences.
The
mosquito that passes on malaria bites humans and leaves the bacterium behind
that causes the disease in the victim. The
mosquito bites normally happen during the evening or at night. Mosquito
reproduction is based on eggs that develop in stagnant or dirty water or in
very wet places and in green grass.
3.
SOME
DATA ABOUT THE SITUATION
-
Malaria presently affects some ninety countries,
mainly the poorest countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
-
Malaria has terrible consequences on people: 300
million severe cases per year result in the death of some 2 million people
each year.
-
90 % of the deaths are in Africa, mainly among
children under the age of five.
-
About 4,200 people are estimated to die every day
from malaria.
-
One child under age five dies every thirty
seconds from malaria.
-
Malaria is one of the major causes responsible of
death in Africa, mainly among pregnant women and children.
-
Malaria has tremendous psychical effects on
survivors.
-
Malaria is one of the greatest obstacles to the
social and economic development in Africa, causing a net loss of about 5
million dollars per day
4.
SOME
ETHICAL MOTIVATIONS
Every person has the right to life, freedom and security for himsel.f
(Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, art. 3)
Motherhood and infancy have the right
to special cares and assistance.
(Ibid, art. 25.2)
Mankind has to provide children with the best for themselves.
(Foreword
to the Declarations of the Rights of the Child, 1959, no. 20)
Dear brothers and sisters of Saint Vincent de Paul: search out more than
ever, with boldness, humility and skill, the causes of poverty and encourage
short and long term solutions, adaptable and effective concrete solutions. By
doing so, you will work for the credibility of the Gospel and of he Church.
(John
Paul II, to the General Assembly of the CM, 1986)
5.
SUGGESTED
WAYS OF INTERVENTIONS
The
goal of a “political action” campaign is to express the views of
our Vincentian Family clearly, with a united voice, to those who have power
and the economic resources needed to effect a change.
5.1. POLITICAL ACTIONS
This
is a more difficult task, but in the long term, it will become the most
effective. Malaria can be reduced
and even eliminated. We suggest
here some actions to be performed at an institutional level in order that they
can visualize the problem and become engaged in some projects in line with the
policy of the reduction and elimination of malaria.
The
above has already been accomplished in some countries or in some parts of them
such as Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean.
5.1.1. Intervention of organizations and institutions
The
committee named by the Vincentian Family will write a declaration and a strong
appeal to international organizations like WHO (Worldly Health
Organization), PMUD, (Program of the United Nations for the Development),
UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Found), UNESCO
(United Nations Education, Scientific and Culture Organization), EC (European
Community), and several involved non-governmental organizations to publicize
our position.
The
Vincentian Family will also ask for:
-
effective intervention with material,
economical and scientific support in the countries affected by malaria.
-
maintenance of this support to preserve future
generations from this disease.
5.1.2. Education is basic for any action
Basic
education is the most effective element in fighting poverty and many diseases.
Some
130 million children of school age, among a total of 625 million living in
developing countries, were not attending primary schools in 1988. (Data from
UNICEF).
Therefore,
we suggest educational projects for children and adults living in the country
or in the slums.
5.1.3. Sensitizing and participation
A
sensitizing campaign will be promoted on the national level toward
institutions, political authorities and civil society in general to invite
them to be in solidarity with that portion of the population suffering more
from poverty and disease.
We
will ask for their commitment to preparing health projects.
This
campaign will require attention to mass media like newspapers, television,
magazines, interviews, conferences, etc.
5.1.4. Joint efforts with public authorities
The
Vincentian Family will look in any country for contribution together with
other organizations working for the same purpose, such as health or
educational organizations, governments, non-governmental organizations, etc.
Each
country should have its own committee to plan the best strategy against
malaria. Such a committee will
define the method of activity and will establish relationships with similar
social or political institutions. It
will also prepare promotional material for mass media diffusion.
5.1.5. Twinning with the Family
The
use of twinning will enable the support of projects in those countries need
our financial contribution or supply of medicines to achieve a more effective
victory against malaria. For
example, the Vincentian Family in Madagascar will prepare a project to be
supported by some European country.
5.2. EFFECTIVE ACTIONS
Effective
actions might be at the following levels:
-
Prevention and protection against the bacteria
causing the disease
-
Patient care
Some suggestions for the
prevention and the protection against the malaria bacteria
5.2.1. Use of mosquito nets
The
use of mosquito nets placed on windows will strongly reduce the risk of
malaria. The use of a curtain at
night is useful especially for children.
5.2.2. Preventive medicines
A
specific treatment with suggested and approved medicines might protect people
and prevent the disease or provide effective treatment in case the disease has
already struck. Projects for
receiving medicines from different branches of the Vincentian Family should be
promoted.
5.2.3. Use of insecticides and repellent products
Insecticides
and repellent products have shown good results, although it is very important
to know how to use them exactly and in which conditions and areas they may be
used, since they can be dangerous to health if improperly used.
5.2.4. Cleanliness around the house
The
reproductive cycle of mosquitoes can be blocked by some actions like the
following:
--all
food containers should be kept properly covered;
--puddles
of dirty or stagnant water near a house should be eliminated by filling, such
as with clay;
--green
grass around the house should be trimmed to avoid the reproduction by
mosquitoes;
--rubbish should be carefully eliminated.
5.2.5. Personal hygiene
People
should be educated to frequently wash their hands, mainly before eating and
after the use of the toilet. In
so doing, the transfer of many diseases, whose bacteria are invisible, will be
blocked.
5.2.6. The use of bathrooms and toilets
The
use of bathrooms and toilets inside each house should be promoted.
This action could be part of a campaign of the local Vincentian Family
or of a particular association.
5.2.7. Clean drinking water
Digging
a community well: the local Vincentian Family could carry out such a project.
This project might be supported by the Vincentian Family from another
country.
5.2.8. Food protection
Families,
and mothers in particular, should be trained to keep food protected against
dust and insects.
This
could be part of a training and formation program for women or through the
Vincentian Family project “know-how for life”, already running in
several countries.
5.2.9. Good Housekeeping
A
house, even if poor and simple, may be kept clean and in good order.
The Vincentian Family might promote an educational campaign for women
and families in the community on good order and housekeeping.
6. STRATEGIES FOR DIFFUSION OF INFORMATION
The
definition of “What” and “How” to communicate will be
the first step for the diffusion of this project. We suggest:
6.1. The national Vincentian Family committee is the
proper place to think about the malaria problem. It should suggest effective projects capable of being
accomplished in short, medium and long terms.
These projects should be accomplished in one country or, better,
together with another country needing help.
6.2. A motto or slogan will be necessary to ensure the
communality and the topics of the project.
We suggest something like:
6.3.
Initiatives should be promoted for the communication campaign
in order to sensitize the whole society about this project. For
example, each bulletin of the several branches of the Vincentian Family should
publish some articles about the project or malaria, and conferences and
meetings should be organized on this subject.
6.4.
Each branch of the Vincentian Family should distribute the
same promotional themes about the campaign by using whatever kind of mass
media is available, as well as the different communications means of the
several associations like bulletins, newspaper, magazines, etc.
6.5.
Each National or International
meeting of the Vincentian Family should include in the related program some
space to be dedicated to malaria.
6.6. Each national or international group of the
Vincentian Family should collect data, reports on experiences, witnesses
coming mainly from Vincentian Family members who worked in the affected
countries, and experts in the related fields; and then forward all the
material to the committees.
6.7. To diffuse the concept that malaria should not be
regarded as an unavoidable disease, but that it can be eliminated if political
willingness exists and if necessary actions are undertaken by governments,
institutions and the same affected civilian society.
6.8.
To be effective and unceasing in keeping contacts with the several
organizations operating in the National or International environment on this
subject. Lobbying them should be
done to start effective projects and to obtain their support.
7. PLANNING
The
campaign will start on September 27, 2003 and will end on September 27, 2004.
-
Six months after the start of the activities, the
committee will make an investigation aimed at a sharing of experiences and at
promoting twinning among countries.
-
The finished plans will be sent to the committee
at the end of the year in order to share the various experiences acquired by
the branches of the Vincentian Family taking part in the project. These
plans will be published on the Web pages.
-
The committee will evaluate the project or the
projects to be pursued by all the branches of the Vincentian Family.
-
Any initiative undertaken should be drawn up on a
standard project form.
8. PROJECT EVALUATION
8.1 We suggest the use of standard indicators to
evaluate the different projects forwarded to the committee.
These standard indicators should provide an idea of the dimension of the
project and of the results obtained.
For
example, standard indicators might include:
·
Types of political
actions taken to prevent malaria
·
People who benefited from the project: children,
pregnant women, the whole community, etc.
·
Amount of money collected to support the project.
Medicines collected, health campaigns among the population, preventive
material, etc.
·
Actions performed to sensitize the public and
institutions.
8.2 The committee will send to every national
committee a questionnaire in order to know the results of this campaign.
9. INFORMATION ON THE WEB PAGES
Information
on malaria and related matters can be found on the following Web pages:
10. MALARIA COMMISSION MEMBERS
The International Heads of The Vincentian Family have
named a Commission. Its task is:
·
To launch the campaign
·
To coordinate it
·
To evaluate the projects
Its members are:
