More Resources White House Summit on Malaria President's Malaria Initiative Photos

Education Secretary Margaret Spellings participated in the White House Summit on Malaria hosted by President and Mrs. Bush today in Washington, D.C. The White House Summit on Malaria brought together international experts, corporations and foundations, African civic leaders, and faith-based organizations to raise awareness of the issue of malaria, and to mobilize a grassroots effort to save millions of lives in Africa and "give African children the gift of growing up."

"Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease. Each of us has a responsibility to end the suffering caused by this devastating disease -- because every life matters. And all of us can do something to help -- governments, businesses, philanthropies, churches, schools. Every one of us matters in the fight against malaria," said Mrs. Laura Bush.

Defeating malaria is an achievable goal. One child dies in Africa every 30 seconds from malaria. At least one million infants and children under five in sub-Saharan Africa die each year from the mosquito-borne disease. While this disease is one of the greatest threats to human and economic welfare on earth, malaria is both preventable and treatable if addressed properly and quickly.

The White House Summit on Malaria focused on three themes: The Challenge of Malaria in Africa; The Power of Public/Private Partnerships; and Growing the Grassroots. The White House Summit on Malaria also highlighted the many organizations at work in the fight against malaria, including Malaria No More, which is helping to mobilize new private sector support. Malaria No More is a non-profit organization that is challenging America's corporations and foundations, non-governmental and non-profit organizations, individuals and America's young people to save lives and build a bridge between peoples.

Secretary Spellings delivered remarks highlighting the need to educate and inspire our next generation of young people to take up the cause of preventing this curable disease.

"By teaching our children to help fight diseases like malaria, we help them build character and show them that service adds value to their own lives as well as others," said Secretary Spellings.

Malaria No More awarded the Dragonfly Award to two organizations, recognizing innovative youth contributions in the fight against malaria.

In June 2005, President Bush announced The President's Malaria Initiative (PMI), a five-year, $1.2 billion program that challenges the private sector to join the U.S. Government in combating malaria in 15 of the hardest-hit countries. The initiative aims to cut malaria-related deaths by 50 percent in these 15 "focus" countries in Africa.

Through PMI partnerships working in the first three focus countries - Tanzania, Angola and Uganda - aid from the American people has already reached approximately six million Africans. In June 2006, Mrs. Laura Bush announced four additional PMI focus countries - Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Senegal - to provide long-lasting mosquito nets, anti-malarial drugs and to help these countries conduct mosquito-spraying programs.

Summit Partners include The Office of the Coordinator for the President's Malaria Initiative at USAID, the Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs at the U.S. State Department, Malaria No More and additional entities.

For more information, please visit www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/malaria or www.fightingmalaria.gov.

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