ExxonMobil launches announcement on malaria for 2008 Olympic games
Press Statement
8 August, 2008: For the occasion of the 2008 Summer Olympic games, ExxonMobil, a committed Roll Back Malaria partner, has produced a announcement on malaria which is being broadcast on television channels in the United States.
Dr Steven Phillips, Medical Projects Director at ExxonMobil, speaks about the global burden of malaria as well as ExxonMobil's focus on combating this disease. A major employer in malaria endemic countries, ExxonMobil has an important stake in alleviating the burden of this disease, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
Recalling the humanitarian ideals and the spirit of international cooperation which the Olympics were initially intended to promote, the announcement reminds viewers that malaria can only be resolved if governments, agencies, and other partners all work together.
Indeed, ExxonMobil is part of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, "a pioneering venture to put medicines in the mouths of mothers and children and to hang a bednet in every dwelling place". As the leading global public private venture that coordinates international and regional efforts to fight malaria, the Roll Back Malaria Partnership brings together the commitment, skills, and resources of a wide group of actors including countries affected by malaria, donors, funds and foundations, civil society, the private sector, and research and academic institutes. The strength of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership lies in the diverse capabilities and expertise of its individual partners, and, more important, in their willingness to work together.
With funds, expertise and wide geographic presence, private sector partners have much to offer to the global response to malaria. But, too often, they are an untapped resource in the response to this disease.
Dr Awa Marie Coll-Seck, the Executive Director of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, said "I would like to commend Exxon Mobil for their dedication to fighting malaria. This widely broadcast announcement is bound to inspire international solidarity towards at-risk populations and thus to move the global response to malaria forward. Exxon Mobil's efforts can be held up as an example to encourage other partners in the private sector to get involved in the fight".
Contact:
Prudence Smith RBM Secretariat
+ 41 79 477 1744