SUPPLY ANNUAL REPORT 2008 Local Delivery Global ... - Unicef

Lack of safe, clean drinking water remains a reality for an estimated
125 million children under five. In the last 12 months, Supply in collaboration
with Programme colleagues, has focused its efforts on developing
comprehensive technology information guidelines for water and
sanitation Programme and Supply staff. The guidelines will assist them
in determining the optimal products and technologies for their specific
situation and conditions, and will invariably lead to more sustainable
programmes. In line with our commitment to supporting local procurement
where possible, we revised the specifications and packaging for
hand pumps to facilitate direct ordering by our Country Offices.
Maternal and neonatal health
Neonatal deaths continue to account for 37 per cent of all under five
deaths, and startlingly, most of these children die within 24 hours
of being born. Supply provides a range of medical equipment and
pharmaceuticals to address these problems, including crucial kits
for emergency response, the Midwifery Kit and the Obstetric and
Surgical Kit. These are just two of a total of 38 types of kits packed
by Supply and delivered worldwide. Our kits are based on the long
experience of UNICEF and our partners in responding to the needs of
children and mothers.
The final inch toward
eradicating polio
Intensified global efforts to eradicate polio
continue, particularly in the remaining
endemic countries - India, Afghanistan,
Pakistan and Nigeria, where pockets of
the virus continue to infect children. More
than 1.8 billion doses of polio vaccine were
procured by Supply in 2008 to support our
Programme colleagues and partners in
taking the final steps toward the eradication
of this crippling virus from the earth.
We are also continuing to work with
partners and industry on sustainable and
affordable supplies of Inactivated Polio
Vaccine (IPV) which can be used in the
post eradication era.
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