The Global Fund announced that Lutheran World Relief and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod forged “a unique partnership to mobilize Lutherans in the United States in the fight against malaria in Africa.” The new Lutheran Malaria Initiative “aims to raise a total of US$45 million towards the global goal of eliminating malaria deaths in Africa by 2015, with up to US$12 million of the amounts raised through the campaign to flow through the Global Fund to support malaria programs in Africa.  Professor Michel Kazatchkine, Executive Director of the Global Fund, commented, “Faith-based organizations are already critical providers of rural health care in many parts of the developing world. We are pleased to partner with the Lutheran Malaria Initiative and are looking forward to jointly continue the fight against malaria.” The Global Fund noted that the Lutheran initiative comes in addition to the United Methodist Church pledge of US$28 million to the Global Fund last September 2010, with both partnerships initiated with the support of the United Nations Foundation.

http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/mediacenter/pressreleases/2011-06-30_Lutheran_World_Relief_and_Lutheran_Church_Announce_US$45_Million_to_Fight_Malaria_in_Africa/