On March 15, the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), a collaborative U.S. Government effort led by USAID, took part in donating more than a quarter of a million mosquito nets to people living in Uganda’s refugee settlements. This initiative was a joint effort with the Government of Uganda, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Malaria is the top cause of illness and death in Uganda, and marginalized refugee populations suffer disproportionately from it. The nets, which have been treated with long-lasting insecticide, are expected to protect thousands of refugees and Ugandans from malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases.
The U.S. Government is committed to eradicating malaria and has contributed more than $200 million to malaria programs since 2006. Since PMI activities started in Uganda, all-cause mortality in children under five has decreased by 34%.
Photo credits: BK Kapella, PMI
