In 2023, the Alliance embarked on a crucial endeavor known as the Malaria Project, targeting eight villages within the Ouélessébougou region. The decision stemmed from a distressing reality: the prevalence of malaria had reached alarming levels, particularly afflicting children and expectant mothers throughout the year. Various factors contributed to this dire situation, including the presence of stagnant water and poor sanitation practices, resulting in the rampant proliferation of mosquitoes across all villages, with females posing the greatest threat due to their ability to transmit the disease.
The primary objective of the Alliance's Malaria Project is twofold: to shield local populations from mosquito-borne diseases and to effectively control mosquito populations. Spearheading this mission is a dedicated team comprising one project manager and two technicians, tirelessly striving to achieve our overarching goal of combatting malaria within the eight villages.
Last year, our commitment translated into a substantial investment of approximately 21 million CFA francs, covering essential expenses such as salaries, fuel, insecticides, vehicle maintenance, insurance, and registration. Building upon this foundation, the Alliance is poised to expand its reach and efficacy by augmenting this year's budget from 21 million to 23 million CFA francs.
A pivotal development in 2023 was the generous donation of a significant quantity of insecticides from the SLC Mosquito Control District in Salt Lake City. This fortuitous contribution was complemented by comprehensive training sessions, with the Project Manager undertaking a six-week program split between Utah and Florida's Mosquito Control Districts. Subsequently, a joint team from the SLC and Florida Control Districts journeyed to Ouéléssebougou to impart invaluable knowledge and skills to the Alliance's Mosquito Control team.
Looking ahead, the Alliance is committed to enhancing its operational capacity by further increasing the budget to approximately 24 million CFA francs. Central to this strategy is the recruitment of eight individuals from the beneficiary villages to augment the existing team, empowering them to oversee trap setting and maintenance while also facilitating community engagement initiatives aimed at promoting environmental cleanliness.
Moreover, fostering collaborative partnerships remains a cornerstone of our approach, as we endeavor to strengthen ties with the University of Bamako, the Alliance Mosquito Control District, the Ministry of Health of Mali, local health centers, and municipal authorities. By nurturing these relationships, we aim to cultivate a synergistic ecosystem conducive to sustained progress in malaria prevention and control efforts.
The impact of the Alliance Malaria Project in the initial eight villages has been profound, positively affecting the lives of over 2000 individuals. Notably, the incidence of malaria cases has seen a significant decline, underscoring the efficacy of our interventions. As we reflect on our achievements and lessons learned, we remain optimistic about the prospect of further improvements in the coming year.
In closing, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who have supported the Alliance in its mission to safeguard lives within our beneficiary communities. Together, we stand poised to confront the challenges posed by malaria, forging a brighter, healthier future for all.
