Program summary for Operation 20/20.

WHAT WE DO.  Focusing on the underserved and those without access to facility-based health services, we connect infants and children under five with vitamin A. A simple, cost- effective dose of vitamin A every six months reduces under-five child mortality by about 24% in at-risk populations. Operation 20/20 dramatically decreases mortality rates in areas targeted by the program.

We focus on vulnerable populations in countries with documented vitamin A deficiency. To achieve high impact results we work with partners who have a local presence and an intimate understanding of the community being served. Every project is localized to apply solutions and proven methods for distributing vitamin A at the community level consistent with accepted best practices. For example, vitamin A distribution may be integrated into existing facility- based health services, or distributed through community-based services such as community health days or immunization campaigns. We seek to form long term partnerships to ensure that our projects will be in place to improve child health for years to come.

WHERE WE WORK.  In 2010, Operation 20/20 connected over 22,500,000 infants, children and lactating mothers in 33 countries on three continents with vitamin A. In 2011, in addition to expanding the number of beneficiaries we serve, we are also focusing on building internal capacity. In particular, we are strengthening our capacity to identify and vet local partners in priority countries like India, and are undertaking program monitoring and evaluation.

WHY VITAMIN A.  An estimated 190 million children under five worldwide are vitamin A deficient, the burden of which is concentrated in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Vitamin A is a micronutrient essential for proper immune function and maintenance of structural integrity of cells. Cellular structure and a functioning immune system are vital body defenses for reducing the effects of infectious diseases causing death or disease. VAD is a major contributing cause of death and sickness among children under five from such common diseases as measles, malaria, acute respiratory tract infections and diarrhea. Vitamin A supplementation alone reduces under-five child mortality by about 24%.