UN Foundation Announces Global Health Press Fellowship with Focus on Emergency Response to Measles Outbreaks

The United Nations Foundation today announced an exclusive press fellowship for a select group of international journalists to observe an emergency measles immunization campaign.

Measles, one of the world’s most contagious diseases, is a leading cause of death among children around the world, killing more than 300 per day. Failure to vaccinate children puts them at risk for brain damage, blindness diarrhea, pneumonia, and other critical conditions. Even though an effective vaccine exists and costs under US $2, there is a lack of funding dedicated towards measles elimination, leaving 40 million children at risk for not being vaccinated and making them highly vulnerable to infection.

In 2016, we have seen measles outbreaks in many countries around the world, including Afghanistan, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Kenya, and because this disease is so contagious, outbreaks are being imported into high-income countries such as Canada and Australia. In areas recovering from Ebola such as Liberia and Sierra Leone, with weakened health systems, the need to strengthen routine immunization is even more acute.

This press fellowship will allow journalists the opportunity to visit a country facing a measles outbreak and witness the immediate response of UN Agencies and ministries of health. Journalists chosen for this fellowship will have direct, unparalleled access to UN experts on the frontlines of the measles response, health workers, government leaders, and other partners with in-country expertise.

“We want to ensure journalists have access to some of the most important health stories, including difficult to cover stories such as global measles outbreaks,” said Kate Dodson, Vice President for Global Health at the UN Foundation.

This fellowship is intended journalists who have reported on global issues and are interested in the work of the United Nations. Special consideration will be given to journalists whose portfolios include global health or foreign affairs.

The UN Foundation will organize this press fellowship around a breaking case of measles in July or August 2016. Journalists who apply and are selected will be informed of the country and dates when the outbreak occurs.

The application deadline is Monday May 2, 2016. To apply, click here. For more information please contact ppatel(at)unfoundation(dot)org.

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About United Nations Foundation
The United Nations Foundation builds public-private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and broadens support for the United Nations through advocacy and public outreach. Through innovative campaigns and initiatives, the Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The Foundation was created in 1998 as a U.S. public charity by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner and now is supported by global corporations, foundations, governments, and individuals. For more information, visit http://www.unfoundation.org .