After Cyclone Fani forced the evacuation of more than 1 million people in Odisha and increased the risk of vector-borne diseases in Puri, the area hardest hit by the cyclone in Odisha, the Government of Odisha responded by distributing 35,000 Long-Lasting Insecticidal Bed Nets (LLINs) in Puri from July 8-10 with support from Malaria No More and Vestergaard.

While officials handed out the bed nets, accredited social health activists (ASHAs) demonstrated to recipients how to use, clean and care for the bed nets. After receiving a bed net, Sumitra Bhanja of Kumbharapada, said, "I am very thankful to the government and Malaria No More for giving me this mosquito net. It will be very useful for me."

As an essential preventative tool widely used by people at risk of malaria, LLINs have played a critical role in Odisha’s remarkable success in reducing its malaria burden. Odisha, India’s highest malaria burden state, reduced its malaria burden by more than 80% between 2017 and 2018.

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For more information or interview requests, contact Michal Fishman at +1 504-220-2792 or Michal.Fishman@MalariaNoMore.org

About Malaria No More

Malaria No More envisions a world where no one dies from a mosquito bite. More than a decade into our mission, our work has contributed to historic progress toward this goal. Now, we’re mobilizing the political commitment, funding, and innovation required to achieve what would be one of the greatest humanitarian accomplishments – ending malaria within our generation. For more information, visit www.malarianomore.org