Statement from President Joe Biden on World Malaria Day

No one should fear losing someone they love—a child, a parent, a partner—because of a mosquito bite. The United States eliminated malaria in our country in 1951, yet for too many people around the world, that fear remains part of daily life. Malaria still threatens more than half the global population, and claims the life of a child nearly every minute. And, as climate change leads to rising temperatures, new areas will become vulnerable to malaria in the coming decades. Today, on World Malaria Day, we recommit to ending the disease worldwide.

Thanks to the generosity of the American people and the strong and sustained bipartisan leadership on this issue in Congress, the United States and our global partners have helped save more than 11.7 million lives and prevent 2 billion malaria infections around the world—strengthening families, communities, and nations. In FY 2022, the President’s Malaria Initiative provided an estimated $33 million to support approximately 100,000 community health workers through training and supervision, equipment, and, in some countries, payment. And, we are working closely with public and private partners to support local manufacturing of mosquito nets and malaria medicines, which will help to save lives while building more sustainable health systems and spurring economic growth.

We have made incredible gains, but we must do more to eliminate this disease for everyone, everywhere. I am proud that the President’s Malaria Initiative—which supports U.S. efforts of 27 nations across Africa and Southeast Asia—is adding three new partners: Burundi, The Gambia, and Togo. This will help bring life-saving tools and treatments to more people in need. My FY 2024 Budget includes an increase in our ongoing support for Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, which is accelerating efforts to roll out a new malaria vaccine. And, through the success of the recent replenishment conference for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, which the United States hosted last year, we raised the largest amount ever for the Global Fund—which will save tens of millions of lives from these three diseases.

We can—and we will—end malaria. And together, we will build a more healthy, secure, and prosperous world for future generations.

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