Video

Video by Staff Sgt. Andrew Caya

Malaria Bed Net Distribution

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa

March 15, 2012 | 1:23

Script: Caya: Members of Civil Affairs Team 4905 distributed 18-thousand insecticide-treated bed nets in Ethiopia on March 15th and 16th in an effort to impede a dangerous disease here. CORPORAL WIDDON (AND CIVIL AFFAIRS TEAM 4905 TEAM MEDIC): “WE ARE IN THE ABAYA WORDEA, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST MALARIAS REGIONS DURING THIS TIME OF YEAR IN THE COUNTRY OF ETHIOPIA, SO OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A GREAT NEED TO FIGHT MALARIA IN THIS AREA. ONE OF THE PRIMARY WAYS TO FIGHT MALARIA IS PREVENTION. ONE GREAT WAY TO PREVENT MALARIA IS THE USE OF BED NETS, WHICH WE ARE DISTRIBUTING HERE.” Caya: According to civil affairs team leader, U-S Army Captain Charles Varner, Ethiopians in this area are expecting a large spike in malaria cases when the rainy season arrives. To quell this spike, many organizations such as Communication for Change, the president’s malaria initiative and other U-S and Ethiopian organizations created a curriculum to educate Ethiopians on malaria awareness. After the class, Ethiopians received a certificate and their bed nets. GOBENA GUYE: (LOCAL HEALTH OFFICE WORKER AND MALARIA PREVENTION COORDINATOR), THIS IS A BIG CAMPAIGN; IT MAKES SENSE FOR THE COMMUNITY TO USE APPROPRIATELY THE MOSQUITO NETS. IT’S ALSO A BIG DEAL FOR THE COMMUNITY THAT A FARENGIE FOREIGNER TO HANDING OVER THE NETS TO THEM CORPORAL WIDDON: WE’VE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS FOR A LONG TIME NOW. IT’S A VERY REFRESHING TO BE PUTTING IT INTO ACTION. IT’S A VERY REWARDING PROCESS, AND I AM REALLY HAPPY TO BE A PART OF IT. Caya: Reporting from Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, I’m Staff Sergeant Andrew Caya. Also available in high definition.