AED/NetMark
and Mobil Oil Zambia launch malaria campaign
Posted: 3 June 2003
Every litre you buy waves malaria goodbye
NetMark — a USAID-funded partnership between the Academy
for Educational Development (AED) and more than 15 multinational
and African manufacturers and distributors of insecticide-treated
bed nets -- is teaming up with Mobil Oil Zambia to launch the "Help
Us Help" campaign.
The campaign will make lifesaving insecticide-treated bed nets
available to vulnerable populations in Zambia, supporting the Zambia
National Malaria Control Centre's ongoing efforts.
Now through the end of July, a portion of gasoline sales sold from
select Mobil Marts throughout Zambia will help subsidize 7,000 coupons
for bed nets to pregnant women and parents with young children.
In addition, children's orphanages will receive 1,500 bed nets
directly.
"More than two million Africans die annually from malaria.
In Zambia alone, malaria kills 40,000 children under five each year.
Use of insecticide-treated bed nets can reduce mortality rates by
25 to 45 percent," said David McGuire, director of the AED
NetMark project.
"The 'Help Us Help' campaign will increase both the availability
and affordability of NetMark-approved bed nets."
"We are pleased to help in the prevention of malaria in Africa,"
said Geoff Cardinal, Africa fuels services manager for ExxonMobil.
"The coupons will be redeemable at designated Mobil Marts
as well as any retail outlet displaying the NetMark seal of quality."
NetMark, a unique public-private partnership designed and managed
by AED, was launched in October 2001 to simultaneously build the
supply of, and demand for, these treated bed nets.
Currently in six countries in Africa, NetMark is one of USAID's
primary mechanisms for supporting the "Roll Back Malaria"
global partnership.
"Roll Back Malaria" members include international donors,
nongovernmental organizations, the private sector and malaria-endemic
countries.
Mobil Oil Zambia, a wholly owned affiliate of Exxon Mobil Corporation
(NYSE:XOM), has been operating in the country for nearly 40 years.
ExxonMobil has a long history of anti-malaria activities, including
participation in the "Roll Back Malaria" initiative in
five West African countries. (BUSINESS WIRE)
Posted by Richard Price,
Editor Pipeline Magazine
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