The group has been promoting Nothing But Nets, a campaign created in 2006 by the United Nations Foundation to raise awareness about the disease and fund the distribution of ITNs.

According to Tim Wirth, president of the United Nations Foundation, Nothing But Nets allows citizens worldwide to buy ITNs for $10 each. The ITNs are then distributed through UN programs in various developing countries. "This is the most effective prevention program in the area of malaria that we know about," Wirth said.

Ann Veneman, executive director of UNICEF, said, "The Nothing But Nets campaign is an important initiative that will help build on successes in addressing malaria and accelerate results for children." She said that malaria "prevention is an important component of poverty reduction and economic development, and progress is being made," adding, "Our results will be measured in lives saved and in lives improved."

Founding partners of the campaign include the National Basketball Association, the United Methodist Church and Sports Illustrated Magazine (UN News Service, 4/23).

In related news, US first lady Laura Bush on Thursday met with members of Congress to update them on the progress of the President's Malaria Initiative, VOA News reports.

According to Richard Tren, director of Africa Fighting Malaria, Bush's meeting with Congress is part of a week of conferences and briefings that will conclude with World Malaria Day. "The president and the first lady have shown great leadership in malaria," Tren said, adding, "They communicate and explain to congressmen that Congress' interest in authorising and appropriating money for malaria programs saves lives every day and makes an enormous difference, not just to the lives of ordinary men and women in Africa, and children, but also to economies, improving productivity" (Lesser, VOA News, 4/24).

[25 Apr 2008 06:13]

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