FOCUS
Promoting Health and Fighting Disease
MDGs ADDRESSED
MDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
MDG 8: Create a global partnership for development
OVERVIEW
Political instability and involvement in Democratic Republic of Congo’s civil war has caused incredible economic hardship for the people of Zimbabwe. As a result, the official inflation rate soared from 32% in 1998 to 585% in 2005 to an estimated 1000% in 2006. A chaotic land redistribution plan has crippled the farming industry and created food shortages that left millions at risk of starvation. An estimated 80% of the population is unemployed and lives in poverty. Zimbabwe has one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in the world—24.6% of adults are infected—and life expectancy is now under 40 years.
Malaria is the second leading killer of children under five in Zimbabwe, following HIV/AIDS. Approximately 84% of the population is at risk of contracting malaria. Adding to the burden is the fact that the unstable political situation has decimated much of the health care system, which makes treating and collecting data on malaria very challenging.
Our PARTNER
Episcopal Relief and Development is partnering with the Church of the Province of Central Africa, which oversees the five dioceses in the country: Central Zimbabwe, Manicaland, Masvingo, Harare, and Matabeleland.
Our CURRENT PROGRAMS
Episcopal Relief and Development is saving lives in Zimbabwe through effective malaria prevention. Episcopal Relief and Development will ensure that people have the awareness and tools needed to protect themselves and their children from malaria.
Promoting Health and Fighting Disease
Episcopal Relief and Development is protecting the most vulnerable—pregnant women and young children—from contracting malaria, a fully preventable disease.
- Long-lasting insecticide-treated nets, along with training in the proper use of nets, ensures that the most vulnerable are protected from the Anopheles mosquitoes that transmit malaria.
- Trained malaria “agents” and volunteers instruct community members in malaria prevention and treatment methods.
