Wednesday, April 25, 2012

ExxonMobil Foundation Marks World Malaria Day with More Than $10 Million to Combat Malaria


IRVING, Texas - Wednesday, April 25th 2012 [ME NewsWire]

Funding has reached nearly 66 million people through support exceeding $110 million since 2000

    Commitment continues with $10 million for 2012
    ExxonMobil-supported programs have provided more than 13 million bed nets, 1.7 million treatment doses, 878,000 rapid diagnostic kits

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- On the eve of World Malaria Day, the ExxonMobil Foundation today announced more than $10 million in grants to fight malaria, bringing its total commitment to more than $110 million since 2000. The funding will support lifesaving programs and proven, scalable methods for preventing and treating malaria through leading organizations including Malaria No More, Africare, the United Nations Foundation, USAID, The Harvard Malaria Initiative, Jhpiego, Population Service International, UNICEF and the Medicines for Malaria Venture.

ExxonMobil Foundation-supported programs have reached more than 66 million people, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa where the disease is most prevalent. Global and local programs supported by ExxonMobil have provided more than 13 million bed nets, administered 1.7 million treatment doses and helped deliver 878,000 rapid diagnostic kits in affected areas. Over the last decade, malaria mortality rates have fallen by more than 25 percent globally thanks to malaria prevention and control measures.

“We’re proud to have made so much progress, but the threat of malaria is still real for too many families,” said Suzanne McCarron, president of the ExxonMobil Foundation. “ExxonMobil remains as committed as ever to supporting the lifesaving work being implemented by the many organizations and agencies making a real difference in the fight against malaria.”

To mark World Malaria Day in 2012, one of ExxonMobil’s longstanding partners, Malaria No More, is launching the acclaimed NightWatch campaign in Chad and Tanzania, building on its already successful programs in Senegal and Cameroon made possible by the corporation. NightWatch utilizes the voices of African and international celebrities in nightly reminders urging people to sleep under protective mosquito bed nets. Through contributions from ExxonMobil Foundation, in Chad, Jhpiego will host education sessions at local health centers to educate pregnant women on malaria prevention. In Angola, Africare will commemorate World Malaria Day by training teachers, students and nurses on how to recognize, treat and prevent malaria; and in Nigeria, they will work with women’s health groups to present a seminar on malaria prevention and control.

ExxonMobil will also cosponsor The Atlantic’s annual White House Correspondents’ dinner, as part of its efforts to bring more attention in the United States to the importance of fighting malaria around the world.

“ExxonMobil is a dedicated partner in supporting our shared goal of ending malaria deaths in Africa,” said Raymond G. Chambers, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Malaria and co-founder of Malaria No More. “Support from ExxonMobil is empowering lifesaving programs and protecting children and families from malaria in some of the regions hit hardest by malaria.”

About ExxonMobil Foundation

ExxonMobil Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm of Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) in the United States. Globally, ExxonMobil and the ExxonMobil Foundation provide funding to improve basic education, promote women as catalysts for development, and combat malaria and other infectious diseases in developing countries. In 2011, together with its employees and retirees, ExxonMobil, its divisions and affiliates, and ExxonMobil Foundation provided $278 million in contributions worldwide, of which $120 million was dedicated to education. Additional information on ExxonMobil’s community partnerships and contribution programs is available at www.exxonmobil.com/community.

Contacts

ExxonMobil

Media Relations, 972-444-1107

 

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