Malaria remains the biggest health problem and is the principal killer of children in Mozambique, Africa. In Mozambique alone, almost 36,000 children under the age of five die each year as a result of malaria; that’s 1 child every 15 minutes.
This year marks the fifth year of a very important partnership between Fyffes and UNICEF Ireland which has achieved outstanding results in preventing the spread of malaria amongst orphaned and other vulnerable children in Mozambique.
Through the distribution of mosquito nets and the support of health facilities and community projects Fyffes supporting UNICEF Ireland has saved the lives of over 11,400 children under the age of five between 2008 and 2011, prevented over 200,000 cases of malaria and sent 50,000 nets directly to vulnerable families in Mozambique.
With Fyffes contribution, UNICEF also dedicates resources to developing community projects such as theatre and radio programs which spread awareness and help combat the spread of malaria.
Peter Power, Executive Director of UNICEF Ireland, says, “Fyffes is a vital partner to UNICEF Ireland in our on-going work to save children’s lives from malaria in Mozambique. We are very grateful for their dedicated commitment to UNICEF Ireland since 2008. A strong alliance has built up between UNICEF Ireland and Fyffes over the past five years and the results of Fyffes’ support show how partnerships of this nature are one of the most powerful weapons against childhood suffering.”
Gerry Cunningham, Managing Director, Fyffes Ireland says of the partnership: “Fyffes is proud to support UNICEF Ireland in its work to combat the spread of malaria amongst children in Mozambique. For over 120 years, Fyffes has procured tropical fruits from the developing world and has always been very conscious of its social responsibilities to those regions.
“Effective aid distribution is a highly specialised skill which encompasses many disciplines (medical, logistic, political etc) and is most effective when performed by an organisation with an unsurpassable track record such as UNICEF. It is therefore a matter of great pride for us to be able to provide funding to support their critical work in Mozambique. We hope you will agree and show your support for this initiative.”