UNICEF, World Vision sign deal to help IDPs

UNICEF and World Vision International (WVI) have come together to provide some 52,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Liberia with health care, under a new project-cooperation agreement signed on Tuesday, WVI reported. The six-month emergency project targets 8,400 children under five years, 10,500 women of child-bearing age, 2,100 pregnant women, and 10,000 community residents, WVI said on Tuesday in a news release. The project, valued at US $106,856.19 in cash and supplies covers four IDP centres and nearby communities in Montserrado and Margibi counties - near the capital, Monrovia - and the northern county of Bong. The children are to be fully immunised against poliomyelitis, measles, diptheria, whooping cough, tetanus and tuberculosis, the release said. Pregnant women and women of child-bearing age are to be vaccinated against tetanus. Other services include antenatal and post-natal care. Community health workers, including traditional midwives are to be trained in life-saving and safe delivery practices. Increasing awareness about sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS and promoting condom use are also included in the initiative. The project is the second such venture between the two organisations aimed at helping IDPs in Liberia. The first was worth US $390,444, covered five counties, and ran from July 2001 to June 2002.