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Y's Men International joins global fight against malaria
Press release
Geneva, 18 November 2008: The Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership Secretariat is pleased to announce the participation of Y's Men International in the global fight against a disease which claims one million lives each year, the majority of which are children in sub-Saharan Africa.
RBM's goals are to provide universal coverage of malaria-control interventions by 2010 and to achieve near-zero deaths by 2015. In recent years, many malaria-endemic countries have made control measures available to their populations at risk and, in just a few years, have succeeded in reducing by at least 50% their numbers of malaria cases and deaths. Campaigns to roll back malaria, in which Y's Men International plans to participate, have to date secured resources to cover 131 million insecticidal nets. This, however, still leaves a gap of 119 million nets to meet the international community's ambitious 2010 targets.
Y's Men International, a global association with some 30,000 men and women of different professions and backgrounds in 70 countries, with its Headquarters in Geneva, is already serving the needs of communities and of YMCAs in countries. The current International President, Mr. V. S. Bashir, referring to the long experience of Y's Men in community service and unique fellowship, was confident of Y's Men's ability to make a significant contribution to the fight against this disease. He said, "in 2006, we obtained Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the UN. We now have an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment and strengthen our capacity to meet global challenges, such as defeating a major killer. We will mobilize all our clubs particularly in Africa in attaining a 'Net' result."
On 24 October 2008, the Day of the United Nations, Y's Men International launched a fund-raising and awareness campaign for malaria. The goal is to raise funds by 31 March 2009 for more than 20,000 nets to be distributed in Africa.
Prof Awa Marie Coll-Seck, Executive Director of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, said, "We are extremely encouraged to see NGOs such as Y's Men International participating in the campaign to Roll Back Malaria. We commend Y's Men International for its leadership and commitment, and are certain that their example will serve to inspire others to join the fight. Together, we can put an end to the hundreds of thousands of unnecessary deaths caused every year by this disease."
For media enquiries contact:
Geneva
Katya Halil, Communications Officer, Roll Back Malaria Partnership Secretariat
Tel: + 41 (0) 22 791 1656
halilk@who.int
www.rollbackmalaria.org
About RBM
The RBM Partnership is the global framework to implement coordinated action against malaria.
It mobilizes for action and resources and forges consensus among Partners. The Partnership is
comprised of more than 200 partners, including malaria endemic countries, their bilateral and
multilateral development partners, the private sector, nongovernmental and community-based
organizations, foundations, and research and academic institutions.