Using Partnerships to Prevent Malaria in Emergency Situations

Massive flooding in Anambra in southern Nigeria and Borno state in northeastern Nigeria at the end of 2013 displaced thousands of people, who were forced to flee their homes and seek higher ground. The National Malaria Elimination Program recognized the need to control the rate of malaria infection and requested support from the USAID | DELIVER PROJECT to provide LLINs to prevent a possible malaria outbreak in the affected areas. The project quickly gathered the number of LLINs requested and partnered with a local transportation company to send the bed nets by truck to Anambra and Borno states. In total, 10,000 LLINs were sent to Borno state and 15,000 to Anambra state. Upon arrival, the state government relief team promptly distributed the bed nets to the flood victims. The project's established supply chain for health commodities in the region enabled a swift response to the emergency situation. In another example of emergency care, a series of disturbances in Benue state in early 2014 led to a large influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) into the state capital of Makurdi and neighboring communities. The Benue State Ministry of Health sent a request for 1,000 LLINs directly to the project, which was communicated to the President's Malaria Initiative USAID Mission in Nigeria and promptly approved. The project supplied 1,000 LLINs, which were received by the commissioner for health on behalf of the state government. The USAID | DELIVER PROJECT, in collaboration with the President's Malaria Initiative, works to get products to people who need them the most. Emergency distribution of LLINs is not a common activity, but the project strives to be as responsive and adaptable as possible in crisis situations. The project's goal is to procure, manage, and deliver high-quality, safe, and effective malaria commodities, as well as provide on-the-ground logistics capacity, technical assistance, and pharmaceutical management expertise. The project's efforts in emergency situations like the flooding in Anambra and Borno states and the disturbances in Benue state demonstrate its ability to respond quickly and effectively to the needs of affected populations. By providing LLINs and other essential commodities, the project helps to prevent the spread of malaria and other diseases, and supports the health and well-being of vulnerable populations.