The Monthly - May 2024

PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT: Madagascar

Historic droughts, severe storms fuel malaria and hunger epidemics

Madagascar is home to perhaps the world's most unique flora and fauna, including oddly-humanlike lemurs, colorful chameleons, and nearly 1,000 species of orchids. But this island nation also has the distinction of being one of the world's most climate-sensitive countries.

In recent years, Madagascar has endured the worst series of droughts since 1981, and more intense rainy seasons that have brought a spate of tropical storms and cyclones. These climate shocks have caused widespread crop failure, contributing to a catastrophic hunger crisis. In addition, the extreme weather have destroyed hundreds of health facilities across the country and left pools of stagnant water that create breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other disease vectors. As a result, millions of Madagascans are at heightened risk of, and unprotected from, malaria and other infectious diseases.

It's no surprise therefore that, since 2010, malaria rates have increased almost six-fold – from 719,967 suspected cases in 2010, to 4,248,332 in 2022. At the heart of this problem are shortages of malaria commodities and distribution challenges. Global partners must support national efforts to reach the most vulnerable Madagascans with vital malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment tools.

"When malaria season comes around, we receive the same number of patients per day as we do per week in quieter times," said midwife Natacha Saholitiana Raivonjanahary, who lives in southern Madagascar.

BEAT MALARIA, UN PARTNERS WORK TO CURB MALARIA EPIDEMIC

United to Beat Malaria recently completed a 2-year malaria project in drought and flood-affected regions in southern and eastern Madagascar, with priority placed on young children and pregnant women. Working with UN partners, United to Beat Malaria supported the delivery of:

62,000 insecticide-treated bed nets 48,750 doses of antimalarial drugs 82,500 malaria rapid diagnostic tests Family health education, with emphasis on malaria prevention and treatment, that reached nearly 380,000 people.

The delivery of these vital commodities and programs proved challenging at times. The poor condition of the roads and limited access in certain regions forced our UN partners to rely primarily on air transportation for emergency supplies.

Despite these roadblocks, the project protected approximately 135,000 children under-5 and 29,000 pregnant women from malaria.

Learn more about this project and stay updated on the humanitarian crisis in Madagascar.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Move Against Malaria virtual 5K

100+ participants went the extra "kilometer" for the ght against malaria

Our third annual Move Against Malaria virtual 5K was a smashing success!

109 participants 16 teams 8 countries Over $13,000 raised for vital malaria programming

Special thanks to our event sponsor, Woodstream, for making this event possible. And shoutout to EBC Financial Group, Vestergaard (top-left photo), The Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA), National Pest Management Association, Olympia Pest Management (bottom-left photo), Wellcome Sanger Institute, Patton Pest Control (bottom-right photo), Julia Nahman, Obed Rutebuka (top-right photo), and other top contributors to this campaign. Thanks for going the extra kilometer for the fight against malaria!

ADVOCACY SPOTLIGHT: World Malaria Day

Champions activate their communities during the week of World Malaria Day

During the week of World Malaria Day (April 25), Beat Malaria Champions from across the country rallied their communities in support of strong US funding for vital malaria programs. Here are a few highlights:

Champions from 12 states made 66 phone calls to their members of Congress on or before World Malaria Day. 82 Champions from 27 states signed our World Malaria Day petition. Champions from 11 states sent 43 messages via X to Congress on World Malaria Day. Two Champions - Krutika Patel and Favour Olushola - published OpEds in NorthJersey.com and The Tulane Hullabaloo, sharing how their experiences growing up in a malaria-endemic country has inspired to become Beat Malaria Champions and advocate on Capitol Hill.

Learn more about our World Malaria Day activations, read the blog post. To become a Champion, text CHAMPION to 30644.