U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, Peace Corps Mobilize Against Malaria in Africa
U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah, Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams and U.S. Global Malaria Coordinator Rear Admiral Tim Ziemer, announced an enhanced collaborative effort to reduce the burden of malaria in Africa.
Peace Corps is collaborating with the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI), led by USAID and implemented together with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to help African governments further reduce the burden of malaria in 14 countries across sub-Saharan African where Peace Corps and PMI have a presence.
“Peace Corps volunteers demonstrate a spirit of sacrifice, dedication and knowledge of the local setting that comes from living with and serving local populations,” said USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah. “Volunteers' access and cultural sensitivity combined with PMI's expert guidance presents unique opportunities to reach people in rural Africa with malaria interventions.”
“This partnership builds on the work of Peace Corps volunteers in Africa who have been leaders in malaria prevention for 50 years,” said Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams. “From distributing bed-nets, eliminating mosquito breeding areas to teaching families about basic health practices, volunteers implement projects and solutions to help fight this preventable disease.”
Experienced Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) will work in close collaboration with PMI in-country staff to support malaria control program efforts, and expand the involvement of other PCVs in malaria activities in their respective countries. PCVs will acquire valuable technical and operational skills, local authorities and communities will gain access to experienced individuals who will assist with malaria control, and PMI and the National Malaria Control Program will gain from increased community-level penetration of their activities.
Peace Corps and PMI will work with the respective National Malaria Control Programs to develop a clear set of activities and a scope of work for the Malaria PCVs. Activities in which PCVs could undertake includes:
- Assisting with national malaria bednet distribution campaigns;
- Helping support implementation of a malaria intervention, such as indoor residual spraying, or assisting with training activities;
- Designing and conducting behavior change communication efforts, including working with community groups and local organizations;
- Advising on monitoring, evaluation and surveillance, including assistance with analysis and mapping of malaria data; and
- Participating with operations research activities.
This article was originally posted on Sustainable Development Africa Platform
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