For the last several months we have had the privilege to work with the UN Refugee Agency to raise funds to life-saving bed nets for the most vulnerable population to malaria – refugees. And so as World Malaria Day approaches, we are pleased to share the following statement from the High Commissioner – Antonio Guterres – in recognition of the impact of malaria on refugees on this important day.
World Malaria Day 2009: Counting Malaria Out for Refugees
Statement of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the Executive Director of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership commemorating World Malaria Day, 25 April, 2009
The UN Refugee Agency and the Roll Back Malaria Partnership are jointly committed to the elimination and eventual eradication of malaria. The world community shares this goal, which is reflected in the twenty fold increase in funding for anti-malarial efforts over the last ten years. In addition more than USD3 billion was made available in 2008 to pursue the goals of the Global Malaria Action Plan, including universal coverage for effective malaria interventions by 2010 and near-zero deaths from malaria by 2015.