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Malaria advocates ask Congress to save lives

 
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3:00 P.M. EST Oct. 6, 2011 | WASHINGTON, D.C.



The Rev. Francis Mutach Kapend, right, of the Democratic Republic of Congo provides an update on progress against malaria in his home country during the Imagine No Malaria Days on the Hill advocacy event. A UMNS photo by Skyler Nimmons.
The Rev. Francis Mutach Kapend, right, of the Democratic Republic of Congo provides an update on progress against malaria in his home country during the Imagine No Malaria Days on the Hill advocacy event. A UMNS photo by Skyler Nimmons.
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More than 50 Imagine No Malaria advocates were in the U.S. capital this week to ask members of Congress to help them save lives.

The event was jointly sponsored by the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, United Methodist Communications and the Board of Global Ministries as part of the shared commitment to Imagine No Malaria.

With federal budget cuts looming, U.S. funding for malaria programs in Africa is at stake, said the advocates. They are urging government leaders to protect existing levels of funding to fight a disease that affects millions of people each year.

John Hill, director of environmental and economic justice for the Board of Church and Society, explained the ramifications of malaria funding cuts in simple terms.

“The current 9 percent budget cut under consideration in the House of Representatives means as many as 3.8 million people in Africa would no longer have access to malaria treatment,” he said.

Raising voices

To gain support for protecting current levels of malaria funding, advocates came from key legislative districts throughout the country.

Fifty-nine people, representing nine United Methodist annual (regional) conferences, were involved in the “INM Days on the Hill.” Participants included five students from United Methodist-related Allegheny College and two high school students from northern Virginia. Six native Africans were present; five now live in the United States.

During the Oct. 4-6 event, participants were updated on Imagine No Malaria programs in Africa and briefed on the budget issue before conducting personal visits with members of Congress.

Mike McCurry —  a United Methodist, former White House press secretary and current Imagine No Malaria executive committee member — coached the advocates on how to deliver the message to elected officials.

He emphasized that the officials must be reminded that “U.S. funds to fight malaria is money well spent because our work is making progress against this disease.”

Just last year, the World Health Organization updated malaria mortality rates, reducing the death toll from an estimated 1 million lives per year to 800,000 lives. In spite of that remarkable progress, malaria remains a leading killer of children and pregnant women throughout Africa.

Also speaking at the event were Dr. Christoph Benn, director of external relations with The Global Fund, and retired U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Timothy Ziemer, director of the President’s Malaria Initiative.

Taking it personally

Although much of the talk in the halls of Congress is about budget and impending cuts, advocates say the discussion about malaria comes down to saving lives.

“It is so difficult to see people die from a preventable disease like malaria,” said the Rev. Francis Mutach Kapend of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo. “It is very touching to know that the faithful are able to mobilize to ask the (U.S.) government to help support the work of the church.”



Mike McCurry provides training on how to make an effective visit with legislators. A UMNS photo by Skyler Nimmons.
Mike McCurry provides training on how to make an effective visit with legislators. A UMNS photo by Skyler Nimmons.
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Imagine No Malaria’s Congo bed-net campaign has made a dramatic impact on his home community he said. After the nets were installed in hospitals in 2010, the number of treated malaria cases dropped from 217,235 to 135,000 and the number of malaria deaths from 481 to 231.

Imagine No Malaria advocates were sure to bring those stories to elected officials during Oct. 5 visits to the offices of U.S. senators and representatives.

“Hearing the personal stories is striking. It reminds us that this fight isn’t about statistics or politics,” said Donna Hough, an Imagine No Malaria advocate from Marleton, N.J. “It’s about people. And that makes you want to fight for funding.”

Bullseye

The advocacy teams visited the offices of 10 House members and 10 Senate members and were able to meet personally with Rep. Tim Griffin (R-Ark.), Rep. Jeff Fortenberry ( R-Neb.), Rep. Gerry Connolly ( D-Va.), Rep. Tom Marino (R-Pa.), Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.), Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.).

Those stories hit their target. Lautenberg encouraged his constituents to help spread the word about the importance of international aid to assist in fighting diseases like malaria.



Pamela Carter and Danielle Snider of the Western North Carolina Conference meet with Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) A UMNS photo by Skyler Nimmons.
Pamela Carter and Danielle Snider of the Western North Carolina Conference meet with Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) A UMNS photo by Skyler Nimmons. View in Photo Gallery

“People don’t realize that malaria isn’t just a thing of the past,” he said. “Please keep working at it.”

Danielle Snider, a team member from Canton, N.C., said she was pleased to visit Shuler as an advocate for global health.

"I am a United Methodist through and through,” she said. “My husband’s a pastor; my father’s a pastor. There are a lot of people in my family who are pastors. I’ve been in the church all my life, but I have never been as proud to be a United Methodist as I am today.”

INM Days on the Hill was also supported by the United Methodist Committee on Relief and Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe. To take action in support of malaria funding, visit the Imagine No Malaria website.

*Naylor is the communications coordinator for Imagine No Malaria. The Rev. Clayton Childers, Board of Church and Society, contributed to this report.

News media contact: Linda Bloom, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5489 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

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  • Shalom Water Filters, WSF is one of the leading water filters distributors in the world. 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand
    Imagine No Malaria has done wonders! We thank God that so many lives have been saved, suffering has reduced, production and livelihood improved, children have been able to go to school, families have experienced some peace of mind etc. However, Laluta continua!   the struggle continues until malaria is put into the historical archives. Thank GHI/INM and UMC.

    Mugambi Marimi
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