Special to the JTA Oxfam Uk Prevents U.S. Jewish Group from Sending Meningitis Vaccine to an African

An effort by the American Jewish World Service (AJWS) organization to send some $150,000 worth of scarce meningitis vaccine to Burkina Faso was thwarted by OXFAM United Kingdom, which refused to accept the medical supplies for distribution in the West African nation, it was learned here this week. Instead, the medical supplies were sent by AJWS to Nepal to meet health needs there.

OXFAM UK, one of six loosely affiliated though independent OXFAM offices working in 72 countries, appeared to have refused the vaccine out of fear said to be unfounded–that the government of Burkina Faso would prevent its distribution because its source was a Jewish relief organization, according to officials representing OXFAM UK and the AJWS.

Derek Warren, press officer for OXFAM UK, said the decision to reject the vaccine was taken on a local level by a representative in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, formerly Upper Volta. There was fear that the origin of the vaccine would cause it to be impounded, Warren said.

“If it was impounded at the airport, it would be no good at the time of release, “Warren said in a telephone interview from Oxford, England, with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. He noted that the vaccine must remain refrigerated. Burkina Faso does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel.

OXFAM UK SAYS IT IS SORRY

Both OXFAM UK and AJWS officials indicated they hoped the incident was now behind the organizations, and that the groups will work with one another in future endeavors. “OXFAM UK is very sorry for the way the situation was handled,” Warren said.

Laurence Simon, president of AJWS, wrote a letter to Frank Judd, director of OXFAM UK, protesting the incident which prevented the much-needed medicine from being transferred to Burkina Faso. He described the incident as “scandalous,” in a January 8, 1986 letter to Judd, obtained by JTA.

Furthermore, Simon discussed the incident with Leandre Bassole, the Burkina Faso Ambassador to the United Nations. According to Simon, the Ambassador said that in spite of his government’s differences with Israel, this in no way would have any bearing on the acceptance of humanitarian aid provided by an American Jewish relief organization.

AJWS, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was founded in May, 1985. It has concentrated its humanitarian programs, primarily technical and community health-related initiatives, in five countries. Last September, it airlifted $750,000 in medical supplies to Mozambique, in an action dubbed, “Operation L’Chayim.”

The incident involving OXFAM UK occurred late last year after an urgent appeal was issued from OXFAM UK’s health unit seeking the vaccine for meningitis for use in Burkina Faso. According to Simon, AJWS filed the appropriate gift documents in order to pave the way for delivery of the medicine.

But Simon said the AJWS received a telephone call prior to the shipment, which was to be at no cost to OXFAM UK, that resulted in having to send the supplies elsewhere. The vaccine was sent to Nepal. Simon estimated that the medicine provided more than 45,000 vaccinations.

Warren, saying that he hoped the incident does not impede future work between OXFAM UK and AJWS, asserted that the medicine for Burkina Faso later came from sources in Belgium. “We are obviously comforted that no one in Burkina Faso suffered and the vaccine was obtained from other people,” Warren asserted.

Frank Judd, director of OXFAM UK, apologized in a letter and other communications with Simon after he was informed of the incident. Simon had written at least two letters to Judd seeking clarification of the incident. Warren said in the interview that Judd was scheduled to visit the United States next week where he would meet with Simon to discuss the incident.