Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Climate Reality Project launched in Africa………….the most vulnerable continent to climate change impacts


24thThe 24th international Climate Reality Project training by Al Gore took place in Johannesburg on 12th-14th March, 2014. It was the first time the Climate Reality training was conducted in Africa therefore a milestone achievement. This brought over 700 passionate individuals together from over 53 countries together in the beautiful city of Sandton, South Africa. The Mayor, Honorable Mohp Parks Tau who highlighted the effects of Climate Change in Johannesburg in the last decade opened the event. He discussed the adaptation initiatives that have been undertaken by the government and also plans in the future to reduce the effects of this dilemma.

Nigeria Delegates
Mentors with Al Gore
The art of storytelling as a effective tool was emphasized by Actress and Playwright Danai Guriri because personal stories help to connect with people when trying to win the climate change conversation. Other speakers includes Kumi Naidoo, Executive Director of Green Peace International; Wanjira Mathai, Director of Wangari Manthai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies, Evans Wadougo, Patrick Ngowi, a social entrepreneur and CEO of Helvetic Group to mention a few.
Less than 24 hours after the training, most of the new Climate leaders were left energetic and joined a day of action for the tree planting campaign organized by the Climate Reality Partner and leader for the African branch; Food and trees for Africa led by Jeunesse Park. 
Tree planting campaign at Alexandra

The pictures give more insight into the activities that took place in South Africa to
kick-off the action for the social revolution in Africa.


More information on the Climate reality Corps can be found http://climaterealityproject.
                                      
Written by O’ Reese on behalf of En-pact Solutions Limited. 2014.
Twitter: @O Reese2
         @EnpactHSE



Sunday, April 13, 2014

World Health Day 2014: Small Bite Big threat!


24tThe World Health Organization celebrates the World Health Day globally on 7th April annually to marl the anniversary of its origin and founding in 1948. The theme for this year is “Small Bite, Big threat:  preventing vector borne diseases" to highlight an area of priority. This year the World Health Organization committed to creating awareness for travelers by use of promotional material such as posters and boarding pass cards at London Heathrow airport ad Washington DC ‘s Dulles’ airports where travelers were advised on how to protect themselves from vectors borne diseases while away from home. At Geneva, the headquarters and other offices around the world, various campaigns took place to educate the general public on  the threat of vector diseases.
What are vectors? They are small organisms that serve as a medium for spreading diseases from person to person or place to place. They may be a threat to your health and that of your family at home and when traveling. Such vectors include mosquitoes, flies, ticks, freshwater snails, sandflies, rodents; insect vectors, lymphatic filariasis, chagas and bugs can cause serious illness, which may lead to death. These vectors transmit a wide range of parasites and pathogens that attack humans and animals. Diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, leishmaniasis, yellow fever, Ebola fever (currently endemic in Africa) to mention a few are preventable and they have a greater impact on the poorer and low income earners of the society.
About 50% of the general population is at risk of these diseases for people are more vulnerable due to travel, trade, migration, environmental changes such as climate change and industrialization, low immune system and various other factors. This year’s theme aims to promote and create awareness by focusing on the vectors that spread the disease, the disease they cause and simple precautions we can take to prevent the bite from these vectors.
   

Tips for preventing vector borne diseases
The following are tips to be considered to prevent borne diseases:
Ø  Get vaccinated against diseases such as yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis.
Ø  Educate
Ø  Clean your surroundings; ensure gutters are clean and free from all solids, get rid of all stagnant water that can be a breeding area for vectors
Ø  Ensure you wear light colored long sleeves and trousers especially between dusk to dawn
Ø  Use insect repellent as appropriate for mosquito prevention it should have at least 25% DEET content
Ø  Use insect treated nets over beds for all family members to sleep
Ø  Ensure the windows and doors of houses have net screens to prevent insects and other vectors from accessing your homes
Ø  Prior to traveling, contact your health care provider, find out about the vectors in the country and take steps to prevent vector bites
Ø  Frequent travelers should protect themselves when traveling to countries which pose health threat
Ø  Government should put measures in place to improve the protection of the population
Ø  Families living in vulnerable or vector prone areas should apply protective and preventive measures.
Ø  Practice vector control and provision of safe water.

Diseases caused by vectors are preventable therefore bite prevention is the key. 
Let us all join the global campaign with the World Health Organization to create 
awareness, provide education for those who are less informed and promote this campaign. 
The threat caused by a small bite can have devastating impact on a larger community. 
The tips above can be applied to prevent bites, spread the word.
                                         
Written by O’ Reese on behalf of En-pact Solutions Limited. 2014.
Twitter: @O Reese2
         @EnpactHSE