Our impact in 2023

The number of malaria cases and deaths in 2023 were unacceptably high, with a child losing their life to the disease every minute. Stalled progress on ending malaria is further complicated by funding constraints, political instability and climate change.

And yet, 2023 saw new scientific breakthroughs, giving the world the prospect of getting back on track, with major upcoming malaria resource pledging opportunities with replenishments of Gavi and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.

Here's how we supported the malaria fight in 2023.

Championing malaria-fighting British science

In October 2023, we called on politicians to do the right thing. Our campaign film showcased how the fight to end malaria is something for Britain to be proud of, and saw comedian Jolyon Rubenstein asking the provocative question: "can we be bothered to end malaria?" The campaign reached over 5.2 million people and was launched during UK political party conference season. Key political figures such as MPs David Lammy and Lisa Nandy and Minister for Development Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell were amongst those who demonstrated their interest and support in the malaria fight. We were incredibly proud to see our work referenced in the FCDO international development White Paper – an important and encouraging recognition to see in a government policy document.

We were active at all major Political Party Conferences, where our strategic advocacy and creative communications stressed the importance of the UK’s continued support for the Global Fund, Unitaid and Gavi in ensuring innovative prevention and treatment tools reach the communities that need them. Malaria was mentioned by Lisa Nandy MP in her keynote speech to the Labour Party Conference, as a prime example of UK leadership on global health.

Malaria at COP28

Changing weather, health emergencies and humanitarian crises are creating the perfect storm for diseases like malaria. The impacts of climate change are being felt now - whether it's disruption to life-saving malaria programmes, or floodwater creating the perfect breeding ground for malaria-carrying mosquitoes.

COP28 featured the first ever dedicated Health Day. We helped highlight the significant link between malaria and climate change with the launch of "Change the Story". This new campaign calls on leaders to take action to save millions of children’s lives by addressing the impact of climate change on malaria. Featuring youth ambassador Ellyanne Wanjiku Chlystun and MNMUK Leadership Council Member David Beckham, the film tells the story of children living at the intersection of malaria and climate change. 124 counties signed the first ever Climate and Health Declaration at COP and US$1billion of funding was committed for both mitigation and adaptation programmes.

Change the Story reached over 419 million on social media
Over 50 pieces of media coverage
Campaign reach across 10 countries, 4 continents, in 5 languages

A creative campaign for Zero Malaria in Kenya

As part of Kenya’s goal to reach Zero Malaria by 2030, we worked alongside partners to help deliver a new nationwide campaign designed to unite Kenyan citizens and leaders in the belief and action that will make a Zero Malaria Kenya possible.

The campaign aims to raise malaria as priority for leaders and decision makers in Kenya, while a pilot project will see the campaign adapted for audiences in three malaria endemic counties of Kilifi, Kisumu and Kakamega and targeting promotion of behaviour change. We have been working closely with local partners including government and health workers to help increase the impact of behaviour change and malaria control programmes, driving deeper impact within communities. The campaign's development was led by community insights and tested through focus group discussions amongst key audiences in Nairobi and in the three target counties. The resulting Zero Malaria Starts With Me Campaign "The Power of EveryONE" - and its tailored adaptations across three endemic counties - began with the national launch in early 2024.