The Undeniable Link Between Malaria and Global Poverty
Colorado Springs, CO (PRWEB) April 24, 2014 -- On April 25, Compassion International will join millions of people worldwide to raise awareness for the prevention and control of malaria in observance of World Malaria Day 2014. Despite great progress in the fight against malaria, the disease still kills more than 600,000 people yearly worldwide. While 90 percent of deaths caused by malaria occur in sub-Saharan Africa, the highest malaria mortality rates are seen in countries that have the highest rate of extreme poverty.
“Malaria is a silent, fast killer that puts many children and families at serious risk. There are hundreds of thousands of children in countries where we work who live in fear of the disease,” said Mark Hanlon, Compassion International senior vice president of global marketing and engagement. “A simple treated mosquito net can protect children and families from the threat of death from malaria as well as the physical, economic, social, and emotional turmoil that malaria causes.”
Important Statistics
• Approximately half of the world's population, or 3.4 billion people, are at risk of malaria.
• Malaria still kills an estimated 627,000-660,000 people yearly worldwide.
• Between 77-86% of malaria deaths occur in children under five. In Africa, malaria accounts for about 1 in 6 of all childhood deaths.
• Annual economic burden of malaria is estimated at least US$ 12 billion per year of direct losses in Africa, plus many times more than that in lost economic growth.
• A total of 88 countries, including 39 in Africa, distribute ITNs free of charge.
“Malaria is preventable and can be eliminated,” said Hanlon. “Compassion International, in our mission to serve children living in poverty, is dedicated to malaria prevention and treatment by providing at-risk households with treated mosquito nets, education on malaria prevention and treatment.”
For more information on how to partner with Compassion International on the prevention and treatment of malaria worldwide, visit compassion.com/malaria.
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About Compassion International
Compassion International is the world’s leading authority in child sponsorship. Compassion revolutionized the fight against global poverty by equipping the Church to develop children out of poverty to become responsible and fulfilled Christian adults. It is the only child sponsorship program to be validated through independent, empirical research. Today, Compassion partners with more than 6,000 Christian churches in 26 countries to release more than 1.4 million babies, children and students from poverty in Jesus’ name. Compassion has been awarded the highest rating for financial stewardship and transparency for 12 consecutive years by Charity Navigator, America’s largest charity evaluator. For more information on the ministry, visit compassion.com or follow on Twitter at @compassion.
Tim Glenn, Compassion International, +1 719-272-5377, [email protected]
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