International transport development organisation Transaid, supported by companies across the PSV and HGV sector, used the occasion of its annual showcase event at the Africa Centre in London in late November to celebrate the roll-out of its MAMaZ Against Malaria programme to cover nearly 80% of districts across Zambia.
Launched by Transaid within a single district in 2017, the life-saving project was proven to dramatically reduce severe malaria mortality in children under six years of age – going on to be recognised in a World Health Organization report as ‘feasible, safe and effective in hard-to-reach communities.’
The approach and the use of a pre-treatment for severe malaria at the community level has since been scaled by the Ministry of Health in Zambia to reach 91 districts, plus has the potential for adoption in other countries with a high malaria burden. The event was attended by Transaid Patron Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, and Her Excellency The Deputy High Commissioner to the Republic of Zambia, together with more than 100 corporate supporters, partners and friends of the charity.
Addressing the audience, Chief Executive of Transaid Caroline Barber said: “There is an African proverb that says ‘if you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together,’ and I think that perfectly encompasses what we have achieved with our severe malaria response work and how far across Zambia the approach has now travelled.
Marketing Director UK & Republic of Ireland for Transaid sponsor Michelin Richard Bezzant added: “I had the privilege of visiting Zambia earlier this year to see Transaid’s road safety and access to health projects first-hand, and it reinforced precisely why Michelin has been involved with this special organisation from day one. We are incredibly proud to be one of Transaid’s founding partners, and we look forward to continuing our partnership for many years to come.”
Looking ahead, Transaid announced the start of two major new projects, each offering additional opportunities for corporate partners to get involved. This includes a new project in South Africa, funded by the Canadian High Commission, to support women working in the minibus taxi sector – the most commonly used mode of transport in the Western Cape – by helping to reduce gender-based violence.
