(PORTLAND, ORE. Nov. 1, 2006) Equipped with a $1.25 million grant from the federal government, Northwest Medical Teams continues its work in war-torn Liberia, this time focusing on reducing devastating illness and death in children under five. The four year Child Survival and Health grant was awarded by the United States Agency for International Development.

Northwest Medical Teams will also provide an additional contribution of $710,000 in medicines and supplies for Liberia, which will help restock medical facilities that were looted and damaged during 14 years of civil war.

Working with the Ministry of Health and the Christian Health Association of Liberia, Northwest Medical Teams will use the funds to train local healthcare workers, many who have not received any education in 15 years. By training 150 healthcare workers and 250 traditional birth attendants, the grant will impact nearly 140,000 people living in the Grand Cape Mount County region of Liberia. These community health workers will directly educate families and support mothers in adopting beneficial health practices.

Training will focus on nutrition education (breastfeeding and maternal nutrition), pneumonia case management, immunizations, control of diarrheal disease, and malaria prevention and treatment.

"This aid is from the American people to help Liberian communities care for their children," says Bas Vanderzalm, president of Northwest Medical Teams. "This project will make a life saving difference at the grass roots level. Bringing critically needed education and supplies to the community health workers and in turn, the families of Liberia, means a stronger future for these children and for generations to come."

Northwest Medical Teams first sent medical teams and medicines to the country in September 2003, shortly after former Liberian President Charles Taylor was deposed.

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