Nothing But Nets and Union of Reform Judaism Help Save Lives in Kenya
Grassroots supporters raise over $1.2 million to deliver 128,000 bed nets to four refugee camps in Kenya
Dadaab, Kenya and Washington, DC (February 10, 2009) —The United Nations Foundation’s Nothing But Nets campaign, a global, grassroots initiative to prevent malaria, announced today its supporters have successfully raised more than $1.2 million to provide long-lasting insecticide-treated nets to more than 273,000 refugees in four camps in Kenya before the summer’s rainy season. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) will distribute the 128,000 nets over the next few weeks.
“As I help distribute nets here in Dadaab camp, I am thankful to the thousands of individuals who have donated as little as $10 to send these life-saving bed nets,” said Adrianna Logalbo, Director of Nothing But Nets. “The refugees I’ve met with have survived displacement, discrimination and sometimes war - they should not then die of a malaria infection caused by a mosquito bite."
Adrianna Logalbo is joined in Kenya by three representatives of the Union for Reform Judaism, a partner of the grassroots campaign. “We are thankful to join UNHCR and the UN Foundation on this trip to see first-hand the impact of malaria on these refugee camps,” said Rabbi Marla Feldman. “It is difficult for the families living in these camps, and with just a $10 donation, we are able to help protect against malaria and offer these parents some piece of mind as they sleep at night with their children.”
In September 2008, UNHCR identified an immediate and urgent need for 275,000 long-lasting, insecticide-treated bed nets for refugees living in 27 refugee camps in Uganda, Sudan, Kenya and Tanzania, where the malaria burden is highest among African camps.
More than 630,000 refugees have been displaced as a result of the spreading crisis in Darfur and other regional crises. As the next rainy season approaches, those living in refugee camps-the majority of whom are women and children-are now threatened by malaria, the number one killer of refugees in Africa.
The UN Foundation, through Nothing But Nets, has issued an emergency fundraising appeal to raise the funds necessary to provide these life-saving nets. Until World Malaria Day on April 25, 2009, all donations to Nothing But Nets will go to this effort. A life-saving bed net costs $10 to purchase, distribute and educate families on its use. One bed net can protect a family of four. To donate and to learn more, visit www.NothingButNets.net/nets-save-lives/refugees.
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About Nothing But Nets
Nothing But Nets is a global, grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. Inspired by former Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly, tens of thousands of people have joined the campaign that was created by the United Nations Foundation in 2006. Founding campaign partners include the National Basketball Association’s NBA Cares, the people of The United Methodist Church, and Sports Illustrated. It only costs $10 to provide an insecticide-treated bed net that can prevent this deadly disease. Visit www.NothingButNets.net to send a net and save a life.
