Today is World Malaria Day 2010 and the Social Media Envoys have already started their efforts in helping to end malaria in endemic African countries by 2015. The Social Media Envoy is a large group of influencers from Anderson Cooper of CNN, Queen Rania of Jordan, and Ryan Seacrest to Mashable’s Pete Cashmore, Jutine “iJustine” Ezarik and a host of others who have been brought together by Ray Chambers of the United Nations Special Envoy for Malaria and his team.
(photo credit: DailyBooth.com from user Sweetpea6497)
In a recent statement issued by the Office of Special Envoy, Chambers stated, "In our efforts to reach the Secretary-General’s 2010 goal of universal bed net coverage, and to reach the longer term goal of near-zero deaths from malaria by 2015, it is critical that acceleration continue in the malaria control movement."
Chambers continued, "Social media content and user driven syndication have proven to be exceptional media assets in generating action behind, elevating awareness of, and increasing resources for global malaria efforts. With our malaria-related objectives within sight, this influential group of Social Media Envoys will help us exceed our awareness goals throughout the year."
The Social Media Envoys have agreed to help spread the word across their networks through tweets, wall posts on Facebook, YouTube videos and photos on DailyBooth.com. The ultimate goal is to raise awareness across the Social Web in order to raise the needed funds to provide interventions against Malaria, such as insecticide-treated nets, in all endemic African countries.
In another statement issued by UNICEF, Caryl M. Stern, president and CEO, U.S. Fund for UNICEF said, "It's difficult to imagine that 24,000 children under the age of five die every day from preventable causes like malaria—but it is in fact a reality. Progress is being made on combating this killer disease in Africa but so much more needs to be done. I'm confident that engaging individuals through social media is one very powerful way to elevate the profile of this disease and provide a real outlet for action."
Stern is right, it's incredibly difficult to imagine that 24,000 children under the age of five die EVERY DAY from preventable causes like Malaria. Together, let's put an end to it. Join in and spread the word, make a donation and save lives.
To make a $10 mobile donation text NETS to 864233 (UNICEF). Or visit the Malaria Envoy Facebook page and make a donation there.
Check out Jutine"iJustine" Ezarik's End Malaria video:
Related Links:
http://www.tweetmixx.com/malariaenvoy
http://www.facebook.com/MalariaEnvoy
#socialmediaenvoy
#endmalaria
