World Malaria Day 2009: NetsforLife ® Launches Phase 2
Last updated 25/04/2009 13:10:01
World Malaria Day 2009
NetsforLife® (netsforlifeafrica.org) brings together corporations, foundations, faith-based organizations and private donors in a collaborative initiative focused on eliminating malaria in Africa.
To mark World Malaria Day 2009, NetsforLife® announces its second phase – an initiative to mobilize over 30,000 volunteers and distribute up to 7 million mosquito nets to 17 countries in sub-Sahara Africa over the next five years.
"NetsforLife® is pleased to be one of the key organizations helping to educate and save lives from malaria," says Shaun Walsh, Executive Director, NetsforLife®. "Education efforts have helped to raise knowledge about malaria transmission from 50% to 82% in sub-Saharan Africa. Over 11 million people have benefited to date from distribution of the nets. We are now looking forward to reaching even more of those, especially children, most vulnerable to malaria."
NetsforLife® works with partners eliminate malaria by distributing insecticide-treated nets and educating local communities in the hardest to reach areas in Africa. NetsforLife® works with community leaders to create a "net culture"- an understanding of the value of nets and the correct way to use and maintain them. Programs provide access to testing and treatment. NetsforLife® provides long-lasting insecticide-treated nets approved by the World Health Organization.
"Before NetsforLife® came to this area, community members used to wake me up in the middle of the night at least four times every month to baptize and anoint a sick child—only to bury him or her the next day. Since the program started, such midnight calls have ceased ... NetsforLife® is saving lives" said Fr. James Okwonga, Mugarus ya Parish, Uganda.
Supported by corporate sponsors ExxonMobil Foundation, Standard Chartered Bank, Coca-Cola Africa Foundation, the private Starr International Foundation and White Flowers Foundation, and NGO partner Episcopal Relief & Development, NetsforLife® implements integrated malaria prevention programming in 17 malaria endemic countries in Sub-Saharan Africa through a vibrant network of local churches, faith-based organizations and NGOs.