Almost half of the world’s population is at risk of malaria. It is an infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes and it claims nearly 1 millions deaths every year. More than 90% of these are in Africa, where a child will die from malaria every 45 seconds. Malaria also inflicts a heavy economic and social burden on families and keeps communities in an unbreakable cycle of disease and poverty.
But in the last decade, national and international efforts to combat malaria have been stepped up. Through the development of new tools and improved access to malaria prevention and control measures, incidence of malaria globally has reduced by 17% and malaria mortality rates have fallen by 26%. World Malaria Day on 25 April is a day to recognize the global efforts to eliminate malaria.
Indeed, malaria is preventable and treatable. Many lives are saved through a combination of prevention, early diagnosis and prompt treatment. Watch our video for World Malaria Day to find out what Friends of Buburi is doing to help the community of Buburi win their fight against malaria.