Drawing on their experience in community mobilisation, the volunteers talked to mothers and elderly people to explain the reasons for this vital campaign. In addition, artists and members of a community theatre troupe of the Congolese Red Cross gave street performances, an effective way of passing on key messages. The campaign, which took place from 29 September to 3 October, was the second phase of a national vaccination campaign, and was part of a global eradication plan against the disease. The results of our efforts have been very encouraging. The Congolese Red Cross was active in Brazzavile as well as in Dolisi, Nkayi, Madingo, Sibiti and Pointe-Noir where it concentrated on social mobilisation.
Plans are already underway for the final phase of the campaign.
The polio virus is present in 30 countries around the world, all of which are in Asia and Africa, but polio is preventable. Immunising children under five protects them from the disease which can kill or cripple the young. Over the next five years, the Red Cross and Red Crescent will mobilise over 80,000 of its volunteers to play a key role in the initiative to rid the world of the disease. Polio is preventable, and the vaccination campaign targets children under five years old. Theatre performances are an effective way of spreading health information to communities.