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April 25, 2005
Africa Malaria Day - Part 4: What can we do?
So today is Africa Malaria Day. We have seen the disastrous effects of malaria, the tools for fighting it, and the obstacles. Today, Roll Back Malaria is calling upon western donors to support the use of DDT, and highlighting the shortfall of affordable effective malaria treatment. So what can we do?
The battle against malaria can not be won in isolation from the context of poverty that perpetuates it. Individual families need the means of prevention and treatment. But there is also a need for efforts in combatting the poverty that is the main obstacle to its defeat. There are things we can do personally, and things we can call upon our governments to do. Here are some suggestions:
1. GIVE. Firstly, our own personal response. Here are a few ways of giving:
* Donate. You can give a one-off or regular gift to organisations helping to combat malaria and other health issues in Africa. (eg to AMREF, Tear Fund, or UNICEF).
* Child Sponsorship. You could sponsor a child through World Vision, ensuring that that child receives health care, education, and clean water.
* Alternative gifts. Instead of amassing more stuff on your birthday, why not ask people to send a couple of mosquito nets to Africa through World Vision's alternative gift catalogue?
* Adopt a school. As an individual or church, you could get in contact with a missionary in Africa who can put you in touch with a school or hospital that you can adopt. You could supply them with treated mosquito nets. One friend sent out 100 treated mosquito nets for a local school where I was working in Gorom-Gorom.
2. CAMPAIGN. As well as our own response, there is need for government-level intervention. There is a need for investment in training, education and distribution, support for the use of DDT, subsidising of malarial treatment, debt cancellation and other anti-poverty initatives, such as trade and aid.
* Make Poverty History. Join the Make Poverty History campaign, or its equivalent where you are. In the US there is the ONE campaign, and in Canada there is MPH Canada. Call your government to act to help those living in extreme poverty - especially at the G8 meetings later this year.
3. PRAY. Just take a moment now, and ask God that effective treatments and vaccines may be developed, that he moves the hearts of people to respond to the need, and that world leaders may act to counter extreme poverty.
4. BLOG! Write a post about malaria on your blog this week to promote awareness of malaria.
The BBC has an interesting series of photos and comment on malaria here.
For more information on Malaria, see WHO, the Roll Back Malaria partnership, or the Global Fund for malaria, TB, and AIDS.
Tags: malaria africa africa malaria day health disease
Posted by Keith at April 25, 2005 09:53 AM
Comments
Again, thanks for an incredibly informative and important series of posts. I've done my part for number four and will continue to encourage others to get involved. Keep it coming, Keith!
Posted by: steven at April 26, 2005 06:45 AM
Thanks again, Keith. Linked to all four of your articles at "It Takes a Church..."
Posted by: Tod Bolsinger at April 26, 2005 03:48 PM