Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NIAMEY324
2009-05-04 15:46:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Niamey
Cable title:  

NIGER: WORLD MALARIA DAY OBSERVANCE

Tags:  EAID SOCI TBIO NG JA 
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VZCZCXRO5763
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHNM #0324 1241546
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 041546Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5004
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0819
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 0113
RUEHLMC/MCC WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
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

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