© David Robertson/Julia Samuel [http://www.tdam.org]

CARAVANA PELA VIDA

Four days before Africa Malaria Day, the Drive Against Malaria, started celebrating Africa Malaria Day in Angola with "A Caravana Pela Vida" = The Caravan for Life. "A Caravana Pela Vida" a multisectoral joint effort by the Ministry Of Health-NMCP, RBM, UNICEF, WHO, CICCI and the Drive Against Malaria.

The whole convoy and distribution operation was supported by the Global Fund, USAID, PMI, MoH-NMCP, PSI, ExxonMobil, WHO, UNICEF, UNDP, CICCI.

The Caravana Pela Vida is a yearly event often done in combination with the Africa Malaria Day and the selection of these areas was due to the past few months, these provinces being extensively flooded with heavy rains. The flood victims need all possible support to combat malaria, and this distribution was specifically to them, as a supplement to the ongoing distribution of the partnership.

A Caravana Pela Vida is a very good example of different partners, including UN, NGOs, the public and the private sector working together.

REACTION OF THE VILLAGE PEOPLE

The people in the communities were very excited.

After 27 years of war, and the floods of the last few months, the people feel neglected. "A Caravana Pela Vida" gave the support and attention they deserve in the fight against Malaria.

Even though distribution of LLINs has greatly increased in previous years (with the support of MoH, the Global Fund and PMI, 800.000 LLIN were distributed in Angola in 2006), many villages and areas don't always have access to nets.

"A Caravana Pela Vida" changed this. The communities are very thankful to receive the nets.

25 APRIL: AFRICA MALARIA DAY

On 25th April the Minister of Health, American Ambassador, country representatives of UNICEF and WHO, the Governor of the Malange province, and all partners including the NGOs and the private sector, assembled in Lombe village of Malange to greet "A Caravana Pela Vida" and help distribute the LLINs, ACTs and demonstrate IRS in a community outside the Provincial Capital Malange.

Activities in hospitals, official ceremonies, a play, dance and music events, including MIG, the excellent singer singing his Roll Back Malaria song.

The Drive Against Malaria returned to Luanda on 29th of April with Julia Samuel and David Robertson handing out and hanging up a further 500 nets supplied by MSF.

Great Thanks to MoH-NMCP Angola, Esso Angola, PMI, The Global Fund, USAID, UNICEF, WHO and CICCI.