Cooperative agreement no. OTR-0527-A-00-7216-00 [with World Vision Relief Organization]

WVRO will improve immunization coverage, increase knowledge and use of oral rehydration therapy (ORT), and strengthen its links with local health systems. In the Koutiala Cercle of Mali, WVRO will: (1) increase immunization coverage in children under age 6 by acting as a donor/advisor to the Ministry of Health (MOH), helping the MOH administer its Prototype Immunization Plan, and providing training and other support at the village level; (2) promote home use of ORT via educational activities and the training of health educators; (3) support growth monitoring and improved feeding practices and provide vitamin A supplements where necessary; (4) encourage birth spacing in high-risk mothers through training of village health educators, mothers, and village groups; and (5) provide supplementary training to MOH personnel and strengthen MOH referral and collaborative linkages with the local health system. WVRO"s activities in Kenya will be based on a pilot program (not funded by the project) to build a dispensary in a targeted area with a population of 4,500. Project activities will include: (1) training a cadre of community health workers; (2) collecting baseline data and identifying women and children at risk; (3) increasing mothers" knowledge and use of ORT; and (4) providing health education and community facilitation in the areas of family planning, growth monitoring, improved breastfeeding and weaning practices, and malaria control. In Haiti, WVRO will: (1) train volunteer health promoters and assist community efforts to reduce the incidence of neonatal tetanus and malnutrition; (2) increase immunization coverage; (3) promote ORT and improve growth monitoring and feeding practices; and (4) strengthen the capability of local health systems and of the local WVRO affiliate to implement community health activities. The project supports WVRO central administration costs as well.