Africa Malaria Day - 25th April

"Free Africa from Malaria NOW!" is the slogan for Africa Malaria Day 2007. The event calls for urgent action to fight against a disease which claims the lives of millions and is holding back economic development in an entire continent.

It is estimated that 400 million people contract malaria each year, and that at least 1 million die as a result. The vast majority of cases occur in sub-Saharan Africa and children under the age of five are most at risk.

Although malaria is treatable, lack of medical resources in rural areas, lack of awareness of preventative techniques and the expense of anti-malarial drugs mean that poverty is a major contributor to the likelihood of death from the disease.

Plan is working with communities across Africa to improve prevention and control of malaria. The projects aim to increase knowledge and awareness and provide resources such as insecticide-treated mosquito nets to vulnerable children and mothers and improved health facilities for diagnosis and treatment.