In continuation of its efforts to engage Africa on different fronts to achieve long-term sustainability, Rotary International, through Rotary Foundation, its nonprofit arm and its partners, is committing $12m to health development in Africa in its Programmes of Scale.
With the help of its partners, the Rotary Foundation (TRF) after a highly competitive process, awarded $2 million grant to Zambia for its Malaria-Free Zambia (PMFZ).
This grant is matched by $2 million each from World Vision and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, making it $6 million.
The programme, which was flagged off by RI President Jennifer Jones when she visited Zambia, last month, just before she arrived in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire for the Africa Rotary Institute, is aimed at reducing malaria by 90% in 10 highly affected districts within two provinces of Zambia. The Rotary Foundation Trustees’ Chair, John Germ, noted that the programme is an “ambitious but achievable goal.”
Nigeria is the second beneficiary of the TRF Programmes of Scale award.
The four Districts in Nigeria will work together with the $6 million grant to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in the 36 states.
The grant will be disbursed over a three-to-five year period. According Rotary Regional Foundation Coordinator (RRFC) Deinde Shoga, the Programmes of Scale are designed to be implemented with experienced partners who are also committed to long-term success and sustainability.
Founded in 1905 by Chicago attorney, Paul Harris, Rotary has grown into an international fellowship and humanitarian service organisation with over 1.4 million members in more than 200 countries and territories of the world.
