UN Foundation Launches Nothing But Nets Anti-Malaria Campaign

Today the United Nations Foundation launched the Nothing But Nets anti-malaria campaign. A panel that included NBA Commissioner David Stern, Senator Tim Wirth, UNICEF Executive Director Ann Veneman, Bishop Thom Bickerman, and Youth America Service President Steven Culbertson discussed the how easily the disease is treated, prevention methods, and techniques used to raise public awareness of malaria.

The Nothing But Nets campaign will work closely with both the United Nations and private industry to both raise awareness and money to distribute mosquito nets across Africa. Each $10 net is treated with anti-mosquito spray and last three to five years. Partners like Microsoft and the Gates Foundation have committed matching donations for each net purchased. A key aim of the campaign, the panel noted, was to highlight collectiveresponsibly in solving this problem.

Quick facts:
– 1 million people per year die of Malaria.
– Globally, 350 million to 500 million people have Malaria.
- $10 buys a net that will last three to five years.
- Mosquito nets are an effective and inexpensive way to prevent Malaria.
- Malaria slows global economic growth by 1.3% per year.
- Production of nets is increasing: in 2004, 30 million nets were produced; in 2008 64 million nets have been produced.

Nothing But Nets was conceived by sports writer Rick Reilly. Reilly approached NBA Commissioner David Stern about working with the UN on raising both money and awareness of the issue. At the briefing, Stern implored the public to get involved, “Ten bucks? Buy a net, save a life!”

This Friday is the first World Malaria Day.

The Nothing But Nets United Nations Pane, left to right:
NBA Commissioner David Stern, Senator Tim Wirth, UNICEF Executive Director Ann Veneman, Bishop Thomas Bickerman, and Youth America Service President Steven Culbertson.

Giant fly Nothing But Nets anti-Malaria mascot: