Every minute, a child loses their life to malaria. Despite significant progress in reducing malaria-related deaths by 50% between 2000 and 2015, recent years have seen a concerning rise in cases and fatalities. The fight against malaria is complex, with the disease constantly evolving alongside environmental changes, urbanization, and other emerging threats.
Last year’s World Malaria Report revealed a staggering 249 million cases and 608,000 deaths, highlighting the ongoing burden of this deadly disease. While there have been substantial investments in proven interventions to combat malaria, the global funding falls short of the required target. In 2022, only $4.1 billion was invested in malaria response, far below the necessary $7.8 billion.
To bridge this funding gap and accelerate progress towards malaria elimination, philanthropic investments have played a crucial role. These investments have supported the development of life-saving vaccines, expanded access to essential medicines, and strengthened healthcare systems in underserved regions. Philanthropic funding has proven to be agile and effective in leveraging additional resources and expertise to drive innovation and scale up interventions.
With the potential to mobilize flexible financing and foster innovative partnerships, philanthropy complements traditional funding sources and development aid. The world’s billionaires, with a combined net worth of $12.2 trillion, have the capacity to make a significant impact in the fight against malaria through strategic philanthropic investments.
As we approach World Malaria Day, the conversation around malaria elimination is more critical than ever. Collaborative partnerships between philanthropy, governments, multilaterals, and civil society are essential to maximizing the impact of investments and accelerating progress towards a malaria-free world.
Join us for a webinar on April 23, 2024, from 5:15 pm to 6:15 pm CAT, as we explore how philanthropic investment can drive transformative change in the fight against malaria. Together, we can work towards a future where malaria is no longer a threat, ensuring health equity for all.
