2009 NETS FOR THE AMAZON
SKEETER BEATERS FOUNDATION, INC. 2009 NETS FOR THE AMAZON PROGRAM
The
Chayahuita Indians living in approximately 140 villages, spanning over 3,000
square miles of the Amazon jungle in Peru have very little income and have a
great need for long lasting, insecticide impregnated mosquito nets (LLINs). Travel in this area is limited to walking jungle
paths or using
small boats and canoes on the rivers running through the area.
Yurimaguas, the closest city to this area with a hospital is a 2-3 day journey
for the majority of the population living in these villages.
Amazon Focus, SBF’s distribution partner, has worked with the people of this
region for years and their mission is one of economic, health, and spiritual
empowerment. In recent years, Amazon Focus has provided Chayahuita health
workers with training and microscopes to be used for early detection of Malaria.
Preventive measures, such as SBF/Amazon Focus’ planned distribution of treated
mosquito nets will provide an added tool in combating the spread of Malaria.
Prevention is an imperative in this area as strains of the disease are
developing resistance to the drug Chloriquine, the most common drug used in its
treatment.
SBF’s incremental distribution is planned to provide blanket coverage on a
village by village basis. Distribution in each village will be monitored to
ensure pregnant women, women with infants, and children under the age of ten are
provided nets first with the balance of the population given nets thereafter.
In addition, SBF and Amazon Focus will incorporate distribution centers in the
village of Soledad and city of Yurimaguas for village representatives and health
care workers to pick up nets to hand deliver to some of the more remote villages.
“2009 Nets For The Amazon Program”
Net Shipment Re-Scheduled for January 1, 2010 Delivery to Lima, Peru
Due to Civil Unrest In The Region
Peruvian Amazon-Area Served
Breakdown of costs for coverage of Soledad, Loreto
Population: 294
Demographics: 98 families, average 9 people per domicile, 3 people average per bed.
Incidence of Malaria: 40 active cases per day
Proposal: 300 ITN bed nets for full coverage by December 31st.*
Cost per Net: $5.15 - $1,545.00
Shipping to Lima: $722.00
Customs, Taxes, etc.: $100.00
Overland Shipping to Yurimaguas: $122.00
Shipping by river boat to Soledad: $150.00
CONEP Custom Fees: $125.00 Total Cost: $2,764.00
Cost/Net for Village of Soledad: $9.34
Objective: 60% Reduction of New Malaria Cases by March 31st 2010* with proper use of bed nets in the village of Soledad.
* Due to political unrest and violence in the area, delivery of nets to Soledad has been delayed until December of 2009
