Today, Mrs. Laura Bush announced Malawi,
Mozambique, Rwanda, and Senegal as the newest countries to be added to
the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) -- an historic $1.2 billion,
five-year initiative to control malaria in Africa. Announced by
President Bush on June 30, 2005, these four nations will join Tanzania,
Uganda, and Angola as focus countries for the PMI.
"Today, malaria is the number one killer of children in Africa, and
more than a million people around the world die of its effects each
year," Mrs. Bush said. "Malaria is largely preventable and the
President's Malaria Initiative - along with the efforts of other
governments and private partners - is working to eradicate malaria as a
devastating killer of women and children."
During the event, hosted by the U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID), Mrs. Bush also introduced Mr. R. Timothy Ziemer as
the U.S. Malaria Coordinator. In this newly developed position, he will
have direct authority over both the President's Malaria Initiative and
all USAID malaria programs and policy.
Led by USAID, in partnership with the Departments of State, Health
and Human Services and the White House, PMI will significantly increase
resources to the focus countries, providing not only experienced
technical assistance, but also the most advanced and effective
prevention and treatment methods available.
The goal of the Initiative is to reduce malaria deaths by half in
each targeted African country through the achievement of high-impact
interventions among 85 percent of the most vulnerable populations. Such
actions include the introduction of long-lasting mosquito nets,
spraying of homes with insecticides, and the mass distribution of new
anti-malarial treatment called artemisinin-based combination therapy.
By the end of March 2006, PMI was supporting activities to benefit
approximately 1.7 million Africans. A series of highly effective
programs are scheduled for launch during the next four months that will
benefit an additional four million people.
Introducing Mrs. Bush, Ambassador Randall L. Tobias, Director of
U.S. Foreign Assistance and USAID Administrator stated, "This
humanitarian effort underscores the resolve of Americans to help
neighbors in need, wherever they may be. Malaria is the main cause of
death and illness in these countries, especially among children under
five."
The four countries were chosen by an inter-agency group based on the
burden of malaria, sound malaria control practices, interest on the
part of the host country, and other factors. Assessment missions to
identify possible program elements are already underway.
Mr. Ziemer comes to USAID after a distinguished 31-year career in
the U.S. Navy where he reached the position of Rear Admiral. Most
recently, he served as the Executive Director of World Relief, whose
work with local churches in the U.S. and around the world in the areas
of disaster relief, refugee assistance, AIDS ministries, among other
services, creates sustainable solutions that help the poor and
suffering.
https://www.usaid.gov/press/releases/2006/pr060608.html