Canadian Red Cross Project Meets “Roll Back Malaria” Abuja Target
(Ottawa, March 17, 2006) — A Canadian Red Cross project in Mozambique has reached an important goal in the international effort to tackle one of Africa’s biggest health challenges.
In December of 2005, the Canadian Red Cross distributed 400,000 bed nets (Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets -LLINs) in central Mozambique (Manica and Sofala provinces). Part of the international “Roll Back Malaria” campaign, the bed nets were distributed free of charge to all families with children under the age of 5. Results of the campaign released today by the Canadian Red Cross show that the project met Abuja Declaration target of least 60% of children under 5 years of age sleeping under a bed net the night before.
“This is a significant achievement in the fight against malaria,” says Dr. Pierre Duplessis, Secretary General of the Canadian Red Cross. “To our knowledge, this is the first time that one of the Abuja targets have been met. “
The Abuja Declaration was signed in 2000 when African heads of state and governments agreed to achieve specific targets on malaria prevention and control, in support of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals imitative. Malaria poses a serious health risk around the world, especially in Africa where malaria is the leading killer of children under five. In sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for 90 percent of deaths due to malaria worldwide, approximately one million children die of malaria every year.”
“Bed nets are a cost effective way of fighting death and disease due to malaria,” says Marcy Erskine, Canadian Red Cross Malaria Advisor in Mozambique. “We estimate that at least six lives can be saved for every 1,000 children who sleep under a bed net – at an average cost of $8.00 CDN each.”
A similar bed net distribution campaign is underway this week in Niger. This campaign builds on the success of Canadian efforts in Mozambique and other African countries which have significantly increased the number of children protected from malaria with treated bed nets. Since 2003, the Canadian Red Cross has distributed 1.7 million bed nets in Mozambique, Niger, Togo, and Zambia. In each country, thousands of local Red Cross volunteers work under Canadian Red Cross direction to distribute bed nets, educate families on how to hang the bed nets and who should sleep under them.
The Red Cross gratefully acknowledges the support of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) for its malaria prevention projects. The Mozambique project was a collaborative effort with the Canadian Red Cross, International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), CIDA, the Mozambique Red Cross, Mozambique Ministry of Health, WHO, and UNICEF. “Today’s announcement demonstrates the importance of strong partnerships at the national, regional and global levels” continues Dr. Duplessis. “No single organization can address the task of stopping malaria, but by working together we can make a difference.”
Photo Gallery: Niger Malaria Campaign – Phase 2 - Niamey»
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For more information, or to arrange an interview with spokespersons in Canada or Africa, contact:
Alice d’Anjou
Canadian Red Cross
Tel.: (613) 740-1928
Cell: (613) 222-6196
