Even before the floods, malaria killed more children under the age of five than any other disease in Tanzania. Infant mortality rates stood at 68 per 1000 live births, compared to children under five years, which stood at 112 per 1000 live births.
David Muthungu, Plan Tanzania’s Country Director, explains: ‘Urgent action is needed to prevent children dying from malaria. Receding floods are leaving stagnant pools - perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes. These children have endured many hardships caused by the floods over the past week. They have lost homes, been prevented from continuing their education and have struggled to find food and drinking water. They now face the increased threat of catching Africa’s biggest killer disease.’
On Friday 25 April, World Malaria Day will focus the world’s attention on combating malaria. There has so far been little outside help available for the communities affected by the floods.
Plan responded quickly spending USD $50,000 on flood relief and distributing hundreds of long lasting insecticide treated bed nets to families. The bed nets were distributed immediately to thwart the spread of malaria.
Every thirty seconds a child is killed by malaria in Sub Saharan Africa. Plan encourages communities to take a lead and believes children have a vital role to play in the fight against malaria. Children working with Plan in Sub Saharan Africa have set up local radio programmes to discuss malaria and other issues.
Source: Relief Web
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