Malaria No More UK

Overview

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, despite gains in many countries since the turn of the century, progress eliminating malaria had stalled and, in some cases, even reversed. While there was a small reduction in global malaria deaths in 2019, there was an increase in cases, which reached nearly 230 million. Africa was home to 94% of these malaria cases and deaths, with pregnant women and children under 5 continuing to bear the brunt of the disease.

Through this project, Malaria No More UK aimed to work with governments across the Commonwealth, including the UK Government, to advocate for policy and financial commitments to tackle malaria. Building on commitments made at the 2018 Malaria Summit to halve malaria across the Commonwealth by 2023, the project aimed to secure tangible pledges towards this goal at the 2020 Kigali Summit. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the summit was delayed until 2021.

One major component of the project was to work with other stakeholders in the malaria sector to develop a public communications campaign that would resonate across African countries and help build political leadership and public support. Building on the African-led Zero Malaria Starts With Me movement, MNMUK partnered with the global creative communications agency, Dentu Aegis Network, to develop the Draw The Line Against Malaria campaign. The powerful campaign launched with films and ads running in 37 countries and over 200 channels. The lead film featured more than 10 leading African sports, music, and entertainment talent figures.

The project also aimed to build support in the UK for continued investments in the global malaria fight. Working with government ministers, officials, parliamentarians, academia, the news media, and others, the project has helped shine a light on the global malaria challenge and set out how the UK government can continue to support this effort.