As we approach annual Africa Malaria Day on April 25th, it is important for us to recognize the malaria epidemic as a global concern.  Each year 300-500 million cases of malaria occur – 90% of them in Sub-Saharan Africa.  Malaria kills vulnerable children in Sub-Saharan Africa at the alarming rate of 3,000 each day despite the fact that it is a curable and preventable disease.

Episcopal Relief and Development’s malaria programs incorporate preventative measures such as insecticide treated bed nets, effective drug therapy and education, which greatly reduces the prevalence of the disease.  ERD’s programs are currently active in Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia and Zambia and will expand to other countries of Sub-Saharan Africa.

ERD launched a new section on its website, www.er-d.org/malaria, to serve as a hub for news and updates about programs fighting malaria. The section features program updates and useful resources such as a photo gallery, educational links, press releases, and suggestions for how to raise awareness about Africa’s silent killer.

“The burden of malaria particularly in the countries of Angola, Mozambique and northern Namibia is so great that unless more resources are put into malaria control there can be no meaningful progress towards reducing poverty in these countries,” said Janette O’Neill, ERD’s Program Director of Africa, who recently attended The Church of the Province of Southern Africa’s planning meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa. “The church is galvanized to raising resources both from within and turning the attention of the donor community to this urgent problem.”  Representatives from dioceses across Southern Africa participated in presentations and discussions on poverty, HIV/AIDS, malaria and education.  “The Church has now been presented with a great platform to become meaningful partners for development,” said Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane in a closing statement for the conference.

Visit http://www.er-d.org/malaria frequently for updates on what ERD is doing to fight malaria in Africa.  Read the section on how to raise awareness, which has suggestions for commemorating Africa Malaria Day on April 25th through outreach and community events.  Please continue to pray for those suffering from the disease.

To support ERD’s malaria program, donate to the Malaria Fund online or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development, Malaria Fund, PO Box 12043, Newark, NJ 07101.