Cyclone victims received INTERCEPTOR® as part of their emergency relief package. July, 2008
Cyclone victims receive emergency relief package with INTERCEPTOR®. July, 2008
August 25, 2008 - BASF donated 100,000 INTERCEPTOR® malaria nets to the relief efforts following cyclone Nargis in Myanmar. The company channeled 75,000 nets through the well-known U.K. based emergency response agency "The MENTOR Initiative" and another 25,000 nets through the Thailand Red Cross.
Since cyclone Nargis hit the country past May, there has been an increase in malaria and dengue fever. As the flood waters recede, mosquitoes have found a prime environment for breeding in the new wet surfaces left behind. This dynamic makes the distribution and use of INTERCEPTOR® a vital part of the emergency relief effort, particularly because of its efficacy; INTERCEPTOR® continues to kill mosquitoes even after 20 washes.
"We have been working with The MENTOR Initiative for years on important malaria control initiatives," says Egon Weinmueller from BASF's public health business. "When it comes to disaster relief, they have the skills and network to get our malaria control products to people in need and make sure that recipients understand how to use them. When we understood that the situation in Myanmar was about to get worse, we immediately decided to make a contribution that would benefit affected communities."
According to Richard Allan, Director of The MENTOR Initiative, "Malaria is the leading cause of mortality in Myanmar. The transmission of malaria will soon predominate across the flooded areas of the Ayeyarwady delta and Yangon District, and if not effectively controlled, it will cause large scale suffering and death." This situation calls for the attention of every stakeholder that can prevent the spread of the disease. "BASF's contribution is well-celebrated," says Allan. "No adequate malaria vector control or means of effective case management is in place in the worst affected flood sites and for many, INTERCEPTOR® could be the single source of protection."
Last year, BASF donated large quantities of the insecticide FENDONA® to The MENTOR Initiative aimed at controlling the spread of malaria in refugee camps in war-torn Liberia. Supplies of FENDONA® were used to spray the homes of an estimated 190,000 internally displaced persons in Liberia, preventing worsening of the situation.
INTERCEPTOR® insecticide-treated nets demonstrate how BASF combines leadership in textile products and agricultural chemicals to prevent diseases. These nets use a unique textile finishing product, FENDOZIN®, which blends a proprietary polymer with FENDONA®, a fast-acting BASF insecticide used on mosquito nets. FENDOZIN® impregnates and clings to the polyester fibers of the netting and the insecticide is slowly released from the surface of the coating, knocking down and killing malaria-transmitting mosquitoes even after 3 years of use.
For more information, visit:
BASF Public Health: www.basfpublichealth.com
The MENTOR Initiative: www.thementorinitiative.org
Red Cross: www.ifrc.org
About the Crop Protection division
With sales of €3,137 million in 2007, BASF's Crop Protection division is a leader in crop protection and a strong partner to the farming industry providing well-established and innovative fungicides, insecticides and herbicides. Farmers use these products and services to improve crop yields and crop quality. Other uses include public health, structural/urban pest control, turf and ornamental plants, vegetation management, and forestry. BASF aims to turn knowledge rapidly into market success. The vision of BASF's Crop Protection division is to be the world's leading innovator, optimizing agricultural production, improving nutrition, and thus enhancing the quality of life for a growing world population. Further information can be found on the web at www.agro.basf.com.
About BASF
BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from oil and gas to chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals. As a reliable partner BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF has more than 95,000 employees and posted sales of almost €58 billion in 2007. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
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