SPECIAL ALERT: EMERGENCY IN NIGERIA
There have been more deaths from lead poisoning here than in the whole world combined in the last 40 years."
-- Dr. Ian von Lindern, Terra Graphics Environmental Engineering, a member of Blacksmith's expert team on the ground in Nigeria.
-- Dr. Ian von Lindern, Terra Graphics Environmental Engineering, a member of Blacksmith's expert team on the ground in Nigeria.
(Photo: Graves of children; Associated Press)
There is an unprecedented lead poisoning crisis unfolding in Nigeria right now. At the request of the Nigerian authorities, Blacksmith has been on the ground for the past two weeks doing assessments and leading urgent emergency cleanup.
Blacksmith is working with the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, Doctors Without Borders, and local authorities to avert a catastrophe.
The toll so far:
- Over 150 children dead, many under five
- More than 300 people ill; some blind, deaf, unable to walk and talk
- Fatality rate is 46%
- More deaths are expected
No comments:
Post a Comment