NIGER: WORLD MALARIA DAY OBSERVANCE

UNCLAS NIAMEY 000324 SIPDIS DEPT PLEASE PASS TO USAID/AFR ACCRA FOR USAID E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID SOCI TBIO NG JA SUBJECT: NIGER: WORLD MALARIA DAY OBSERVANCE ¶1. On Saturday, April 25, 2009, Nigerien First Lady Fati Tandja (the 2nd first lady) presided over a World Malaria Day observance in Maradi (about 400 miles from Niamey). The event featured several sensitization skits and included speeches by Government of Niger Health Minister Issa Lamine, regional officials, a representative of the National Program to Combat Malaria (PNLP - Programme National de Lutte Contre le Paludisme),the resident representatives for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF),the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Monetary Fund, the Sultan of Gobir (a respected traditional leader) and visiting Catholic Relief Services (CRS) President Kenneth Hackett. U.S. Ambassador Allen was the only resident ambassador included in the First Lady's delegation (in light of the U.S. NGO affiliation with the project) which flew for the one-day trip to Maradi on the GON Presidential plane. The First Lady did not deliver remarks. ¶2. The CRS, a primary U.S. NGO working in Niger, is the implementing partner for the mosquito net distribution project funded out of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) - Round 7 (years 2008-2012). The nets (Olyset Net) were treated by Sumitomo Chemical (a Japanese firm) and were obtained through the aid of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The First lady launched the distribution of the 2.8 million treated mosquito nets with the assistance of her delegation members and regional officials. ¶3. The project limits net distribution to two nets per family, covers the eight regions of Niger and targets children under age five, as well as expectant mothers. Sensitization skits focused on the benefits of proper mosquito net usage. The project aims to build capacity at the PNLP and within the regional public health structure. The event received wide media (TV and print) coverage. ALLEN