In Malawi, The Hunger Project partners with like-minded organizations to combat malaria by implementing community-led, transformative programs. The Hunger Project-Malawi recently reflected on its anti-malaria work, which includes trainings to build capacity among community health workers.
Malaria is a life-threatening, widespread health threat that has an extremely high prevalence in Malawi, with over five million confirmed cases in 2016 and an estimated 11,000 deaths (World Health Organization). According to the World Health Organization, after an unprecedented period of success in global malaria control, progress has stalled. But with cross-organizational projects like those in Malawi, we are seeing a resurgence in malaria prevention initiatives.
For example, in the villages around Majete Game Reserve in southern Malawi, the College of Medicine, Wageningen University and The Hunger Project-Malawi are implementing a five-year project called the Majete Malaria Project (MMAP) with funding from Dioraphte. In 2017, the project successfully conducted malaria village workshops, supported larvae source management to prevent the spread of mosquito breeding, improved houses to mitigate against mosquito access to vulnerable populations, and trained community health workers on the methods of malaria transmission.
The project has now rolled out to two new epicenters, bringing the total project coverage to 118 villages of the 282 villages around Majete Game Reserve. The project now operates in five Hunger Project epicenters: Majete 1 Chibwalizo Epicenter, Majete 2 Epicenter in Chiphale, Majete 3 Muonda Epicenter, Majete 4 Epicenter in Tombondera, and Majete 5 Epicenter in Kandeu.
By investing in technical interventions the Majete Malaria Project, we have been able to demonstrate that the most effective and efficient development programs occur when communities are mobilized through collaborative leadership. By establishing an enabling environment that fosters women-centered, community-led development, The Hunger Project and the holistic Epicenter Strategy are achieving unprecedented success with health solutions.
