Africare announces $1.42M grant from ExxonMobil for battle against malaria in Africa

Africare President Darius Mans announced today new investments from ExxonMobil to extend their partnership in its fight against malaria. ExxonMobil, which has long been a supporter of Africare, will fund three key malaria prevention and intervention programs in Africa.

"ExxonMobil has been an invaluable partner to bettering the lives of those living in Africa," said Africare President Darius Mans. "The company's contributions - including not just funds, but their efforts to provide on-the-ground support, lend business expertise and increase the world's awareness of the scourge of malaria - have saved countless lives on the continent."

The new grants, which total $1,425,000, will enable thousands of additional children and families in Africa to receive the necessary care for managing malaria.

• The new pilot Malaria Prevention Promotion in Nigeria will reach more than 75,000 local contractors and suppliers and their families in the Delta region of the country with a package of malaria prevention, treatment and vector control services. The program also includes a media campaign to educate thousands more people in the same area about malaria prevention.
• Through a network of more than 2,000 community volunteers working with the Caconda Community-Based Malaria Intervention program, approximately 35,000 families in Angola will receive training and assistance to manage malaria in their homes, including educational materials, bed nets and access to medical treatment.
• An additional 600 volunteers - to a total of 2,640 - will be selected and trained to reach families with health education through the Angola Community Malaria Program. Volunteers are expected to reach 550,000 children under the age of five and women of child-bearing age via 51,000 house visits, health talks, plays and drama shows, and visits to traditional healers and community leaders.

"Africare is one of our long standing partners in the fight against malaria. As one of the largest private foreign investors in Africa, we know first-hand the health and economic impacts that malaria can have on the workforce, their families and the communities where they operate," said Rex Tillerson, ExxonMobil Chairman and CEO. "We want to ensure that families have access to the proper prevention and care, especially in the most vulnerable communities."

In recognition of the company's leadership and long-standing commitment to combat malaria, Africare is presenting ExxonMobil with its inaugural Corporate Service Award. Tillerson is accepting this award at Africare's annual Bishop John T. Walker Memorial Dinner in Washington, D.C. later today. Africare is also awarding its Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award to Dr. Ngozi N. Okonjo-Iweala, Managing Director of the World Bank, for her contributions to improving the financial stability of Africa's economies, especially Nigeria. This year's event will also celebrate Africare's 40th anniversary and honor Nelson Mandela for his lifetime of service in South Africa.