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RSSMDG Inspiration Fund Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Millennium Development Goals?
What is the MDG Inspiration Fund, and how was it created?
Whom do I contact for more information?
How will my contribution be spent?
Why spend most of the money on one MDG?
What are the Millennium Development Goals?
In 2000, leaders from the United States and 190 other nations came together to develop a plan to cut extreme global poverty in half by 2015. To guide this critical work and measure its success, eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were created.
What is the MDG Inspiration Fund, and how was it created?
At the 74th General Convention in 2003, the Episcopal Church formally endorsed the MDGs. In 2006, at the 75th Convention, the Church voted to make the MDGs a mission priority over the next three years. The MDG Inspiration Fund is a new partnership between Episcopal Relief & Development, Jubilee Ministries and the Executive Council to raise $3 million to fight malaria and other diseases in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Whom do I contact for more information?
If you have questions about planning an event for the MDG Inspiration Fund, please call 1.800.334.7626, ext. 5129, or email er-d@er-d.org.
How will my contribution be spent?
Two-thirds of the amount raised will be allocated to Episcopal Relief & Development’s malaria-prevention program in Africa, NetsforLife®, and a pilot project in Asia. In Africa and Asia, the MDG Inspiration Fund focuses on stopping the spread of malaria and other preventable diseases (MDG 6). The remaining funds will be allocated to Latin America and the Caribbean and will support malaria and HIV/AIDS prevention and education as well as basic health initiatives to improve maternal health, eliminate acute respiratory illness, provide clean water and train community health workers (MDGs 4, 5 and 6). Some of these programs will be implemented in partnership with the Jubilee Centers.
What is malaria?
Malaria is a common yet deadly tropical disease caused by a parasite. Humans contract malaria when they are bitten by a mosquito carrying the parasite, which is then injected into the bloodstream. Four species of parasites cause malaria in humans. The most common species is Plasmodium falciparum, which causes the most virulent and potentially lethal form of the disease. Malaria is a public health problem in more than 100 countries in the world. Approximately 40% of the global population — 2 billion people — live in areas where malaria is a constant threat.
Why spend most of the money on one MDG?
Because Episcopal Relief & Development’s approach to fighting malaria and other preventable diseases uses integrated development strategies, MDGs 1, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 also will be addressed through the malaria-prevention work. For example, malaria is more dangerous in children and pregnant women, so preventing these vulnerable groups from contracting malaria also addresses MDGs 4 and 5.
