Canada Announces Additional Support for the Fight Against Malaria

News Release

April 25, 2005 Toronto -- To highlight Africa Malaria Day, the Honourable Aileen Carroll, Minister of International Cooperation, today announced a contribution of $20 million to the Canadian Red Cross for a multi-country malaria prevention program in sub-Saharan Africa. Funding for this initiative will be provided by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). "Malaria extracts a terrible toll," said Minister Carroll. "In Africa, it is the leading killer of children under five. Bednets are a simple and cost-effective way of preventing the spread of the disease, and reducing the suffering it causes." The program announced today will focus on providing long-lasting insecticide-treated bednets to mothers and children in countries with a high burden of malaria. It builds on the successes of Canadian efforts in countries such as Togo and Zambia that have significantly increased the number of children protected from malaria with treated bednets. "No single organization can address the task of stopping malaria, but through strong partnerships at the national, regional and global levels we can make a difference," said Dr. Pierre Duplessis, Secretary General,Canadian Red Cross. "CIDA and the Red Cross continue to be important partners in malaria prevention programs and we applaud CIDA's generous commitment to address the enormous problem of malaria in Africa." Africa Malaria Day 2005 marks the fifth anniversary of the Abuja Declaration in which African heads of state and governments agreed to achieve specific targets on malaria prevention and control. In sub-Saharan Africa, approximately one million children die of malaria every year, and in Africa as a whole, malaria is the leading killer of children under five. A child dies of malaria every 30 seconds. Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2005 Federal Budget and is therefore part of the existing fiscal framework. - 30 - Information: Andrew Graham Director of Communications Office of the Minister of International Cooperation Telephone: (819) 953-6238 Media Relations Office Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) Telephone: (819) 953-6534 E-mail: info@acdi-cida.gc.ca Web site: www.cida.gc.ca

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Canada Announces Additional Support for the Fight Against Malaria

News Release

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