Thanks to global partnership efforts, deaths from malaria have been cut by more than 60 percent compared to the highest points of the malaria crisis in the early 2000s, saving 7 million lives. The rate of change has slowed, however, and while signs of progress continue in half of all malaria-affected countries, malaria is creeping back in some of the highest-burden areas. This year’s World Malaria Report 2018, however, confirms that after a decade of unprecedented progress, the declining trend in cases has levelled off. Urgent action is being taken by countries, and supporting their efforts is critical to protecting hard-earned progress and reigniting the pace of progress toward our goal of ending malaria. There has never been a better time to invest in malaria and next year's Global Fund Replenishment is a critical opportunity for renewing global investment in the malaria fight. In the following toolkit you will find:

• Key messages from the World Malaria Report
• Key messages from the High Burden to High Impact Response Plan
• Social media messages for the World Malaria Report release
• Links to additional content: videos, op-eds, and more

1. If we take a longer view, we have made remarkable progress. Since 2000, countries and their development partners have dramatically reduced the total number of malaria cases and deaths.
2. But the toll of malaria remains unacceptably high. Every two minutes, a child dies of this preventable and treatable disease. And each year, more than 200 million new cases of the disease are reported.
3. We are particularly concerned by trends seen in recent years (since 2015). WHO’s latest report shows that progress has levelled off and, in some countries, malaria is on the rise. In 2017, the 10 highest burden countries in Africa reported a combined increase of 3.5 million cases over the previous year.
4. To get back on track, WHO and the RBM Partnership have catalyzed a high impact response for high burden countries. This aggressive approach will be led by the countries hardest hit by malaria.
5. Success in the highest burden countries will translate into success globally. Through collective action – and with countries leading the way – we can achieve our common vision of a malaria-free world.

Malaria presents us with hard truths - some that on the surface seem at odds. We see both progress and peril in the WHO World Malaria Report 2018.

• 46 countries - almost half of all malaria-affected countries - reported fewer than 10,000 malaria cases, up from 37 in 2010. The number of countries with less than 100 indigenous cases - a strong indicator that elimination is within reach - increased from 15 countries in 2010 to 26 in 2017.
• This year, Paraguay became the first country in the Americas to eliminate malaria in 45 years and 11 countries are on track for elimination in the next 2 years. But a child still dies every 2 minutes from malaria.
• Deaths from malaria continue to stagnate, declining at far slower rates than over the past decade.
• Surveillance and reporting are improving, but are not at strong enough levels to effectively find and track all cases of malaria.
• More insecticide-treated bed nets were distributed last year than at any time in history, but coverage remains suboptimal.
• We have new tools opening up possibilities we’ve never had before, but malaria cases are ticking up in the highest burden African countries.
• The growing use of rapid diagnostic tests to increase appropriate and early treatment has been a game changer, but we still need new tools to further transform the fight.

It’s unacceptable that people in half the world’s countries are nearing a life free of malaria while the other half still fear death by mosquito bite. As long as this imbalance persists, there is a risk that malaria will spread and put all countries at risk.

There is no standing still with malaria. We must move quickly to step up efforts and continue progress for all countries toward ending malaria for good. Fortunately, there has never been a better time to invest in malaria.

The World malaria report shows that although funding for malaria has remained relatively stable since 2010, the level of investment in 2017 is far from what is required to reach global malaria targets.

• We’ve found ways to improve efficiency and deliver more bed nets and other life-saving commodities than ever before. But if funding continues to flat-line as cases increase, we will not be able to continue getting essential tools and medicines to everyone in need.
• Recent improvements in supply chain efficiency and reduction in costs of medicines and diagnostics mean every dollar invested in malaria goes further than ever before.

Increased funding for the malaria fight will support the highest burden countries to:

• Bridge massive service delivery gaps to the most vulnerable
• Follow through in scaling up access to existing lifesaving interventions
• Use data in new ways to expand our impact
• Research and develop new and better tools

The Global Fund represents nearly 60% of all external assistance for malaria, and around 40% of total global spending on malaria. A successful replenishment of the Global Fund is an unquestionable prerequisite for achieving the Sustainable Development Goal's 2030 malaria target.

With more than 400,000 people projected to die from this preventable disease, the actions we take now will determine whether we will be the generation to end malaria.

Malaria is hitting hardest in 11 countries that carry a disproportionate burden of the disease. To change course and improve how to combat malaria, these countries – with support from global partners – are taking new action to reignite progress in the malaria fight. Together, they are committed to reducing the burden of malaria and getting the global malaria effort back on track.

• Approximately 70% of the world’s malaria burden is concentrated in 11 countries – 10 in sub-Saharan Africa and India. These high-burden nations are home to an estimated 151 million cases of malaria and 275,000 deaths: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda and United Republic of Tanzania.
• The new country-driven approach – “High Burden to High Impact: A Targeted Malaria Response” – launched alongside the WHO World Malaria Report 2018, will reignite progress in the malaria fight.

Catalyzed by the World Health Organization and the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, the new approach will turn the tide in the fight against malaria. This new, country-led approach is founded upon the following pillars:

• Strengthening country leadership and stepping up domestic financing. This is necessary, at all levels, including grassroots, to translate political commitments into more domestic resources and tangible action to reduce malaria cases and deaths;
• Relying on the best and shared data that moves efforts from a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to tailor-made responses that make better use of limited resources and pinpoint where to deploy core tools for maximum impact;
• Empowering countries with better guidance, policies and strategies to identify and tailor the optimal mix of malaria control tools for a wide range of settings; and,
• Improving effectiveness of partner support via a coordinated country response to maximize use of donor funding and technical expertise, and achieve greater efficiencies in programme delivery.

The 500+ members of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria stand with WHO and high-burden countries in supporting this response plan to turn the tide back towards our global goal to end malaria.

#WorldMalariaReport #Endmalaria #HighBurdenHighImpact

• The @WHO #WorldMalariaReport has been released! Deaths from malaria have been cut by more than 60% since the early 2000s, saving 7 million lives. But progress has slowed. Urgent action is being taken to #endmalaria with the #HighBurdenHighImpact response: https://buff.ly/2A46Soc
• This year’s @WHO #WorldMalariaReport shows the world is off track to reduce malaria deaths/disease by 40% before 2020. Cases are heavily concentrated in 11 countries. Learn what’s been done to course-correct progress in the fight to #endmalaria for good: http://bit.ly/HighBurdenHighImpact
• Malaria presents us with hard truths - some that on the surface seem at odds. We see both progress and peril in the @WHO #WorldMalariaReport 2018. Read more: https://buff.ly/2A46Soc
• Highlights from this year’s #WorldMalariaReport: While progress is uneven, more countries than ever are in a position to eliminate malaria. Paraguay was certified malaria-free in June, and 11 counties are on track for elimination in the next 2 years!
• Two positive trends from the @WHO #WorldMalariaReport: surveillance and reporting are improving, and last year, more bed nets were distributed than ever before. Still, surveillance must improve and net coverage must increase to #endmalaria for good.
• It’s unacceptable that people in half the world’s countries are nearing a life free of malaria while the other half still fear death by mosquito bite. As long as this persists, malaria could spread and put all countries at risk. Urgent action is needed. #WorldMalariaReport
• Malaria is a glaring marker for the inequities in health that impact too many communities today. This is why malaria control is part and parcel of universal health coverage. #WorldMalariaReport
• Malaria is hitting hardest in 11 countries that carry a disproportionate burden of the disease. These countries – with support from global partners – are taking new action to reignite progress in the malaria fight. Read more about #HighBurdenHighImpact: https://buff.ly/2A46Soc
• 70% of the world’s malaria burden is concentrated in 11 countries – 10 in sub-Saharan Africa and India. 151 million cases of malaria and 275,000 deaths. Urgent action is needed, and these countries are stepping up. Read more about #HighBurdenHighImpact: https://buff.ly/2A46Soc
• Low burden countries must continue to focus on progressing toward elimination, particularly those on track to eliminate malaria in the next two to five years. This year Paraguay has shown us that the fight to #endmalaria is winnable! #WorldMalariaReport
• We are concerned to read in the #WorldMalariaReport that in 2017, there were 3.5 million more cases of malaria in the 10 highest burden African countries over the previous year. This is why we are proud to support #HighBurdenHighImpact: https://buff.ly/2A46Soc
• The 4 keys to the #HighBurdenHighImpact response to the #WorldMalariaReport: 1. Strengthening country leadership & domestic financing 2. Relying on the best and shared data 3. Empowering countries w/ better guidance, policies, strategies 4. Improving effectiveness of partner support
• Business as usual is no longer an option when it comes to the fight to #endmalaria. The #HighBurdenHighImpact response will jumpstart progress against malaria and builds on a year of renewed attention to the malaria fight. https://buff.ly/2A46Soc
• Success in high burden countries will translate into success globally. Through collective action – and with countries leading the way – we can achieve our common vision of a malaria-free world. #HighBurdenHighImpact #WorldMalariaReport https://buff.ly/2A46Soc
• This year’s #WorldMalariaReport shows there is no standing still with malaria. We must move quickly to step up efforts and continue progress toward ending malaria for good. Fortunately, there has never been a better time to invest in malaria. Read more: https://buff.ly/2A46Soc
• We need increased funding to support the highest burden countries to: 1. Bridge service delivery gaps to the most vulnerable 2. Scaling up access to existing lifesaving interventions 3. Use data in new ways to expand our impact 4. Develop new and better tools #WorldMalariaReport

• The WHO's World Malaria Report has been released, and shows deaths from malaria have been cut by more than 60% since the early 2000s, saving 7 million lives. But progress has slowed. Urgent action is being taken to end malaria with the HighBurden High Impact Response: https://buff.ly/2A46Soc
• Though the WHO World Malaria Report shows progress is stalling, it also shows signs of hope. In 2017, 46 countries reported fewer than 10,000 malaria cases. India, Ethiopia, Pakistan, and Rwanda all shows significant reduction of malaria cases. And in Africa, access to diagnostic tests has significantly increased. This is a winnable battle – we can end malaria for good!: http://bit.ly/HighBurdenHighImpact
• The WHO World Malaria Report shows that funding for malaria has flatlined. We are far from what is required to reach global malaria targets. We know we can more efficiently deliver bed nets and interventions, and we know how to improve supply chain management and reduce cost of medicines. Every dollar goes further than ever before. http://bit.ly/HighBurdenHighImpact
• The WHO World Malaria Report shows there are major coverage gaps when it comes to access to malaria prevention. In 2017, only half the population at risk of malaria in Africa were sleeping under bed nets. Just 22% of pregnant women received critical prevention medication. And less than half of children with a fever in Africa were taken to a doctor. We must increase focus and funding to ensure no child dies from a mosquito bite. http://bit.ly/HighBurdenHighImpact