The Ministry of Health in collaboration with UNDP, WHO and the entire United Nations System, with funding from the Global Fund, organized a distribution campaign of long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets in Ward 5 in the presence of the Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmed Robleh Abdilleh, and the Deputy Representative of the UNDP in Djibouti, Mr. Gaël Ollivier acting as the Resident Representative.

Under this year's theme "Advancing Equity. Building Resilience, Ending Malaria", World Malaria Day is an opportunity to remember that we can save lives through the efforts and investments needed to build resilient and sustainable health systems for all.

As a Principal Recipient of the Global Fund in Djibouti, UNDP supports the Ministry of Health in the fight against malaria, AIDS and TB in Djibouti.

On the occasion of the International Malaria Day, Mr. Gaël Ollivier, Acting Representative of UNDP, wished to recall that efforts and investments are needed to build resilient and sustainable health systems. He thanked all of the Global Fund's partner governments for their financial contributions, led by the United States of America and France. These two countries also provide high-level technical assistance programs to facilitate the implementation of Global Fund-financed activities in Djibouti. This funding is essential to ending the malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis epidemics.

As part of the National Health Development Plan (PNDS 3rd generation 2020-2024), Djibouti has committed to reducing malaria morbidity by 50% by 2024 compared to 2019 data with the aim of reaching zero indigenous cases by the end of 2030.

Malaria is a major public health problem in Djibouti. In previous years, malaria cases have steadily increased from 14,810 cases in 2017 to 73,535 cases in 2020. However, Djibouti hopes to reverse this overall trend. In 2021, the number of malaria cases decreased by 24% compared to the 2020 situation, with a total of 55,646 cases.

The government of Djibouti, with funding from the Global Fund and other partners, has made progress in its ability to fight malaria by providing the community with combined approaches directed against the transmission vector. These include indoor residual spraying in twelve neighborhoods most affected by malaria in the commune of Boulaos and the destruction of larval habitats. It also involves the mass distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets in the target neighborhoods, but also for the benefit of children under five years of age, pregnant women through routine services, and migrant populations in Djibouti City and the regions. The Global Fund also supports interventions to strengthen the capacities of health system actors for better diagnosis and management, which is at the heart of the long-term strategy to fight malaria.

In addition, awareness campaigns for social and behavioral change for the adoption of good malaria control practices in secondary schools, universities and community centers.

According to the Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmed Robleh Abdilleh, Djibouti is on track to meet the targets of the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria Control 2016-2030. However, the pace of progress and the appropriateness of control approaches to the epidemiological context must be continued if we hope to join the elimination countries.

The Ministry of Health will need the multisectoral commitment of all, including the mobilization of the Djibouti City Hall, the road system, urban planning, the environment, national education, and communication, to achieve malaria elimination and respond to the motto "Building Resilience. Ending Malaria".

The mobilization of all financial and technical partners is a priority. Multisectoral involvement and awareness of each partner in the fight against malaria is the only sustainable solution to eliminate malaria.