Pacific Program
The Pacific Islands are perceived as paradise but 17 per cent of their population live on less than $1 per day. Nowadays they are still struggling to reduce childhood mortality.
To support our neighbours and care for children less fortunate than our own, SunRice is funding vaccines, vaccination storage and training, as well as distribution to eliminate measles and control hepatitis B.
Pacific Vaccination Program Details
UNICEF's Pacific Program covers 14 Pacific Island Countries, spread over 200,000 square kilometres of the Pacific Ocean, which are home to 3 million people. There is a lot of disparity between these islands where an estimated 17 per cent of the population lives on less than $1 per day.
These islands also suffer from a lack of funds and from being so widely dispersed which creates complexities. SunRice has decided to make a difference and fund one of the UNICEF programs.
This Pacific Vaccination Program aims to impact all children under 5 years old and directly benefit children under 1 year old, providing them with safe vaccines. It has twin goals of measles elimination and hepatitis B control.
The program will ensure that effective cold chain systems exist, equipment is in place, vaccine needs are accurately forecasted and ordered and workers are trained to support the program in all countries.
Country Maps
UNICEF's Pacific Program operates in the following countries: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
The Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Kiribati and Tuvalu are the most disadvantaged countries in the Pacific, but other relatively more developed countries are also struggling due to their small populations, geographical isolation and vulnerability to natural disasters.
Despite their relatively small population, the 14 Pacific Island Countries have unique challenges arising from their wide-spread geographical location. While the average gross domestic product per capita improved from $1,484 in 1990 to $3,251 in 2000, Pacific Island Countries have made only moderate progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
- An estimated 17 per cent of the population live on less than $1 per day.
- Under-five and infant mortality rates have dropped since 1990 but efforts must be intensified to reach 2015 targets.
- About 20 per cent of people living in the Pacific are yet to access improved drinking water sources, while about 30 per cent do not use sanitation facilities.
- 20 per cent of Pacific children were not immunized against measles in 2005 and large sub-national disparities in vaccination coverage persist
To see a map and find out more about each country click on the selected country links below.
A Word from Stephanie Rice - Our Ambassador
As brand ambassador for SunRice, I am delighted to be part of this important vaccination program.
Whilst visiting the rice farming communities in Leeton in rural NSW recently, I had the opportunity to host a swim clinic. You should have seen how the kids were full of energy. I could recognise myself when I was child. Kids can be so strong but fragile at the same time. It reinforced my conviction to promote the SunRice UNICEF vaccination program, especially in the Pacific Islands
People don't realise when they go on holiday to the Islands, that only a few kilometres from their hotel, there are people living on less than $1 a day. The kids in most Pacific Island countries live far away from any medical centres so they don't always have access to basic vaccines. It is so sad to think that kids in 2009 can still die from something as simple as measles.
The Pacific Islands are our neighbours and I am looking forward spending time helping care for kids less fortunate than we are in Australia. I will be promoting awareness of this great SunRice program at every opportunity.
I am really proud to be able to help make a difference.