Every minute, a child dies of malaria, and 3.3 billion people—half the world’s population—are at risk of this deadly disease. Yet malaria is entirely preventable and treatable.
On April 25, people around the globe will observe World Malaria Day to remember those affected by this disease and to recognize the work that is taking place to end its threat. Prevention efforts are effective, and since 2000, the mortality rates connected to malaria have decreased by more than 25 percent. Still, there is work left to do.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries and local churches in Africa, where 90 percent of malaria cases occur, are taking part in global efforts to fight this disease that takes the lives of 655,000 people, mostly children, each year.
Local churches in Kenya have distributed thousands of mosquito nets, a highly cost-effective way to save lives and improve child and maternal health, as well as keeping children in school and allowing adults to remain economically productive in their work. Through the East African Famine Relief efforts, churches are partnering with other organizations to distribute thousands more bed nets to prevent the spread of malaria as people sleep. Health clinics in places like Burkina Faso and Swaziland are treating children and families with malaria and providing anti-malarial medications. In Mozambique and other countries, community health education efforts geared toward children are helping to prevent the spread of disease, including malaria.
Malaria is a disease that disproportionately affects those who can least afford treatment or have little access to preventive health care. Malaria prevention and control is an inexpensive and effective way to interrupt the cycle of poverty affecting hundreds of thousands of families. Nazarene Compassionate Ministries invites the global church to join together as we seek to prevent malaria and care for the sick and, in this way, proclaim the Gospel to all people in word and deed.
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