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Skriven 2006-12-14 23:31:12 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (061214) for Thu, 2006 Dec 14
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Fact Sheet: The White House Summit on Malaria
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For Immediate Release
Office of the First Lady
December 14, 2006

Fact Sheet: The White House Summit on Malaria


ÿÿÿÿÿ The White House Summit on Malaria

On December 14, 2006, The President And Mrs. Bush Will Host The First-Ever
White House Summit On Malaria In Washington, D.C. The White House Summit on
Malaria will bring together international experts; corporations and
foundations; African civic leaders; and voluntary, faith-based and
non-profit organizations. The Summit's goals are to raise awareness of
malaria and to mobilize a grassroots effort to save millions of lives in
Africa. One American with just $10 can help save a life in Africa. A
school, a church, or a team can help save a village. Together, Americans
can help protect an entire continent.

The President's Malaria Initiative Is Saving Lives. President Bush
announced the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) in June 2005.A
five-year, $1.2 billion program, PMI challenges the private sector to join
the U.S. government in combating malaria in 15 of the hardest-hit African
countries. PMI's goal is to cut malaria's mortality rate by 50 percent in
these target countries, freeing these African nations and their citizens
from the grip of debilitating disease.
  þ Through Partnerships Working In The First Three Target Countries _
    Angola, Tanzania And Uganda _ Aid From The American People Has Already
    Reached About Six Million Africans.In 2007, 30 million more will
    receive life-saving medicines, sprays, and nets as the program expands.
    Other target countries include: Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, and
    Senegal.
  þ PMI Has Helped Deliver Bed Nets In Zanzibar In Tanzania Where Malaria
    Is The Leading Cause Of Death. In early 2006, PMI and the Global Fund
    collaborated to distribute more than 230,000 insecticide-treated bed
    nets to the people of Zanzibar. Zanzibar has seen a startling decrease
    in its reported malaria cases and quicker recovery for those infected:
      þ The number of confirmed malaria cases on Pemba Island dropped 87%
        from January to September in 2006 to 1,570 down from 12,531 over
        the same period last year, according to local health reports.
      þ In Zanzibar, malaria was greatly reduced among children under age
        five after new U.S. and other assistance began, according to local
        health officials. The success in Zanzibar shows that malaria can be
        controlled in larger regions.

The White House Summit On Malaria Will:
  þ Announce Eight New PMI Target Countries. The President will announce
    eight additional countries designated as PMI target countries: Benin,
    Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia Madagascar, Mali and Zambia.
  þ Launch The Malaria Communities Program. The President's Malaria
    Initiative (PMI) will launch the Malaria Communities Program, a $30
    million initiative to build independent, sustainable malaria-control
    projects in Africa by providing grants to African NGOs and religious
    groups to support their malaria-control work. These initiatives will
    protect children and families and will help citizens take charge of
    their own health.
  þ Create >Volunteers For Prosperity_ Program For Malaria. Many groups
    fighting malaria depend on the generosity of skilled professionals like
    doctors and nurses, who volunteer their services far from home. Through
    the President's Volunteers for Prosperity program, organizations
    involved in the President's Malaria Initiative can receive grants for
    highly skilled volunteers to contribute their efforts to combating
    malaria in Africa.
  þ Designate April 25, 2007 As >Malaria Awareness Day._The more people
    know about this disease, the more quickly we can defeat it. President
    Bush will designate April 25, 2007, as >Malaria Awareness Day._ African
    countries and other nations commemorate April 25 to raise global
    awareness of malaria, and to reaffirm their commitment to fighting this
    disease. The United States is proud to stand with them.

White House Summit On Malaria Themes
  þ The Challenge Of Malaria In Africa. One child dies in Africa every 30
    seconds from malaria. At least one million infants and children under
    five in sub-Saharan Africa die each year from the mosquito-borne
    disease. Older children and adults who do get malaria lose an average
    of six weeks at school or work from illness. This disrupts business and
    leaves poor families short of income, food, and medicine.
  þ The Power Of Public-Private Partnerships. Mobilizing private sector
    support is a key component in controlling malaria in Africa. When
    governments partner with NGOs, corporations and foundations,
    faith-based and service organizations and private citizens, the
    combined effort can save lives, educate the public about malaria, and
    send a global message. Public-private partnerships enable the U.S.
    government and its other partners to maximize their effectiveness and
    support a comprehensive approach to control malaria.Organizations at
    the summit announced commitments to dedicate additional resources to
    put thousands of new boots on the ground and to help defeat malaria.
  þ Growing The Grassroots. Powerful grassroots movements can raise
    awareness of malaria, and highlight ways that organizations and
    individuals can get involved in combating this preventable disease in
    Africa. With new enthusiastic efforts from Malaria No More and other
    organizations, America's corporations and foundations, NGOs and
    non-profit organizations, individuals and America's young people are
    being challenged to save lives and build a bridge between peoples.

Partnering Together To Fight Malaria

No Single Organization Or Entity Can Solve Global Health Issues Facing
Africa. Groups like the Bill _s challenge and mobilizing private sector
support to defeat malaria in Africa.

White House Summit On Malaria Partners Include:
  þ The Office of the Coordinator for the President's Malaria Initiative at
    the U.S. Agency For International Development
  þ The Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs at the U.S. State
    Department
  þ Malaria No More

For More Information On This Initiative, Please Visit:
www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/malaria.

To View The White House Summit On Malaria Live Webcast, Please Visit:
www.fightingmalaria.gov

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