Through a five-year $1.5 million grant, Episcopal Relief and Development will work in partnership with the Anglican Church of Angola to implement a malaria prevention program in Angola. The program will reach a total population of 90,896 people; including 18,179 children under five years old, 11,388 pregnant women, and 3,454 people infected with HIV/AIDS.  Working in collaboration with NetsforLifeSM , the initiative will expand the use of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLITNs) by pregnant women and children under five years old, build awareness of malaria transmission and treatment, and ensure that pregnant women receive Intermittent Preventative Therapy (IPT), a prophylactic treatment that prevents malaria infection.

“We want to strengthen the ability of faith based and community organizations to fight malaria, while also building local ownership,” said Adm. R. Tim Ziemer, U.S. Malaria Coordinator. “Groups with local connections that have worked to build trust and provide hope are key partners in the effort to combat malaria at a local level,” continued Adm. Ziemer.

The Malaria Communities Program is a $30 million initiative created under the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) to aid the efforts of communities and local organizations to fight malaria in Africa. The Malaria Communities Program specifically identifies organizations that are new to working with the U.S. Government and are uniquely positioned to work at the community level.

“Episcopal Relief and Development is honored to receive this generous grant through the President’s Malaria Initiative supporting our malaria prevention program in Angola,” said Robert W. Radtke, ERD President.  “This program is part of our NetsforLifeSM initiative, a grassroots partnership in 16 sub-Saharan African countries that mobilizes communities to combat malaria through education, training, as well as the proper and consistent use of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets,” continued Radtke.

The program hopes to increase local capacity to support community-based malaria prevention and treatment activities and encourage local interests to become proactive in combating malaria in their communities for the long term. Keeping in terms of the grant, ERD will collaborate with the Anglican Church of Angola, the Angolan Ministry of Health and the National Malaria Control Program.

“Partnering with the Anglican Church of Angola, we are working with local community members to teach people effective ways to prevent the spread of the disease so they become empowered to protect themselves and their families. Empowerment saves lives,” said Radtke.

Episcopal Relief and Development is the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church of the United States. An independent 501(c) (3) organization, Episcopal Relief and Development’s programs work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Working with the worldwide Church and ecumenical partners, Episcopal Relief and Development strengthens communities today to meet tomorrow’s challenges. We rebuild after disasters and empower people by offering lasting solutions that fight poverty, hunger and disease, including HIV/AIDS and malaria.