In the Pacific nation of Samoa, the government closed all schools and businesses this week because of an unprecedented measles outbreak — 4,000 cases in a country of just 200,000. Families that aren’t vaccinated have been encouraged to hang a red cloth on their home, so health workers can more easily find them. The World’s Marco Werman talks with Frances Vulivuli, a medical doctor with UNICEF who has been in Samoa since the start of the epidemic.
Without federal support, local stations, especially in rural and underserved areas, face deep cuts or even closure. Vital public service alerts, news, storytelling, and programming like The World will be impacted. The World has weathered many storms, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to being your trusted source for human-centered international news, shared with integrity and care. We believe public media is about truth and access for all. As an independent, nonprofit newsroom, we aren’t controlled by billionaire owners or corporations. We are sustained by listeners like you.
Now more than ever, we need your help to support our global reporting work and power the future of The World.