BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The recent outbreak of malaria in Jamaica has shocked us into remembering that malaria, though largely a preventable disease, continues to claim a million lives a year in Africa alone, including nearly 3,000 children every day.
Defeating malaria is both an urgent calling and an achievable goal. Due to the progress of science and medical advances, today malaria is virtually unheard of in the United States, but the U.S. is committed to sharing scientific knowledge and experience to benefit people still at risk in Africa and around the world.
Through the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), the United States is working in partnership with 15 of the countries most affected by malaria to control and prevent this disease. Announced by President Bush in 2005, this initiative devotes $1.2 billion over five years to cut malaria-related deaths by 50 percent in 15 focus countries in Africa. Tanzania, Angola, and Uganda were announced in June 2005 as the first 3 focus countries. In June 2006 Mrs. Laura Bush announced four additional focus countries, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Senegal.
PMI also challenges other nations and the private sector to join the U.S. government in this effort. On December 14, 2006, a White House Summit will bring together international experts, multilateral institutions, African civic leaders, NGOs, faith-based and service organizations, as well as corporations and foundations to examine measures for controlling malaria. The Summit will explore ways that governments, NGOs, corporations, and citizens can most effectively work together to save lives and better educate the public about malaria prevention and treatment.
The Summit will challenge America’s corporations, foundations, nongovernmental and non-profit organizations, as well as private citizens and young people to build bridges of compassion and hope by partnering with affected communities to control malaria and save lives. A school, church, or athletic team can partner with a family or community in Africa or another country affected by malaria.
Aid from the American people has already reached about 6 million Africans in the first three focus countries. A U.S. spraying program in Zanzibar last August treated 200,000 households, protecting more than 1 million people from malaria. In camps throughout northern Uganda, a PMI-supported campaign distributed more than 200,000 nets, targeting children under 5 years old. In Tanzania, PMI has delivered 380,000 treatments of drug therapy.
In addition to the 15 PMI countries, the United States continues to combat malaria around the world, including in Asia and South America. We also continue to work closely with other international partners including the Global Fund, World Bank, as well as other multilateral organizations and donors.
