[press release] World Vision Launches Bold Initiative for Worldwide Elimination of Mosquitoes

from World Vision

The humanitarian agency World Vision, in an effort to reduce infant mortality, has taken a bold initiative for a worldwide elimination of mosquitoes.

This was made known by its President, Rich Stearns in a statement, adding that the good news is that the elimination of malaria is possible as was done in the United States in 1951.

He pointed out that now it's time for the rest of the world to benefit from the U.S experience and that by God's mercy and in partnership with other humanitarian organizations and individuals, World Vision is determined to end malaria in the entire world.

"We have launched this initiative to: significantly increase private funding for anti-malaria programs; advocate for increased government commitments, including at least $1 billion per year from the U.S. government to combat malaria; develop corporate partnerships to leverage resources like bed nets and medication and to initially contribute to a 50 percent reduction in the number of malaria deaths by 2015 in countries where World Vision operates," he further said.

Stearns also said that while malaria is entirely preventable and treatable using inexpensive, proven solutions, those most at risk of malaria infection often lack access to these simple solutions and that to strategically address this threat, World Vision is at the moment scaling up its malaria prevention and treatment efforts.

These efforts, according to him, include the distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets, community health education, and provision of anti-malarial drugs and other treatments.

In his words: "However, no single response can defeat malaria. So we are part of a growing global movement to combat malaria with strong coordination between governments, businesses, non-governmental organizations, local citizens and supporters like you."

Stearns continued: "Last week, through the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, I joined world leaders in a discussion about the role each of us may play in fighting this deadly disease. At the event, a new global plan to combat malaria was announced. By partnering with communities, World Vision will play a crucial role in the implementation of the global plan and efforts to successfully achieve an end to malaria-efforts that you can be a part of."

He called on the body of Christ world-wide to partner with his organization in this critical and exciting endeavor to save the lives of millions of children, urging people to visit World Vision's End Malaria site in order to join a movement to stop this child killer in a lifetime. "For most of us, mosquitoes are a pesky nuisance; but for millions of children worldwide, this tiny menace poses a deadly threat."

He further stressed the need for Americans in particular to send proposals to Congress to advocate increased resources to fight malaria. "Donate to provide a family with bed nets and critical malaria prevention education and pray for those affected by malaria and for the will to end it and share the site with friends and colleagues to expand the movement."

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.

They serve close to 100 million people in nearly 100 countries around the world and serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more on this visit World Vision website: www.worldvision.org