Malaria is thought to be the number one killer of children in the world…Especially in Sub-Sahara Africa where (by some reports) 1 million or more people die every year (mostly children). 

(CNN) — For the past few decades when talking about malaria, public health officials and malaria experts have avoided the word “eradication.”

This reluctance is based in part on relatively recent history. In 1955, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a valiant effort to eradicate malaria throughout the world.

Although the disease was virtually eliminated in many temperate regions and reduced in some tropical areas, the goal of worldwide eradication fell short, and the effort ultimately was abandoned.

Today, malaria has resurged with a vengeance. Half the world’s population is at risk of malaria infection. Approximately 250 million people get sick with malaria each year and nearly a million individuals die — mostly young children and pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa.

Bill and Melinda Gates are doing excellent work at their foundation  (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) with respect to malaria prevention.  The foundation states their long term goal is to eradicate the disease completely.  However in the short run they will fight to reduce malaria deaths by 2015.  In the meantime, their statistics are similar to those reported by CNN

In wealthy countries, the war against malaria was won nearly half a century ago.

Malaria then changed from a disease affecting many parts of the world to a disease affecting only poor countries. Efforts to fight malaria in Africa and elsewhere faded from lack of funding, but the disease continued to devastate communities in the developing world.

Today, the disease is killing poor people in developing countries and crippling their economies.

The financial cost of malaria is crippling economic development in Africa, where countries are losing billions of dollars a year due to the high cost of medicines and reduced productivity.

In 2006, there were 247 million cases of malaria and 881,000 deaths from the disease.

The disease takes the lives of 2,000 children a day in Africa, where the most lethal forms of the malaria parasite and the most aggressive mosquitoes are found. While malaria can be treated, people who survive the disease can suffer debilitating consequences, including mothers giving birth to babies with low birth weight and children developing severe anemia.

Shelters and Malaria

Shelter can play an important role in helping to prevent malaria as well.  The most obvious contribution can come from the incorporation of malaria nets inside the structure.  However; a shelter that is sealed except for the openings for doors windows and vents helps manage infiltration and may make the management of the mosquito simpler.  In addition, a shelter that is treated with insecticides may prevent the insect from breading within the shelter. 

It is worth reviewing the Impact a decent shelter can have on a person and family.