Burundi’s decade-long civil war and genocide (1993-2003) killed 200,000 people, displaced hundreds of thousands from their homes, and caused a 20% reduction in the country’s gross national product. In 2005, the United Nations Human Development Index ranked Burundi 174th out of 177 countries in the world because of its current economic struggles.

The war also contributed to the spread of malaria from the lowlands, where it was endemic, to the highlands where communities had very little immunity. In 2000-2001, a 36-week malaria epidemic in the highlands resulted in a record 3.5 million cases. Since malaria was introduced into the highlands, the, number of reported cases rose from an average of approximately 500,000 per year to more than three million. This represents 37% of the total population of Burundi.

NetsforLife^® Implementing Partner

The Eglise Anglicane du Burundi consists of six dioceses and 200 parishes across the country. Burundi’s 425,000 Anglican congregants are served by 250 clergy. The Church's major concerns include peace and reconciliation, repatriation of refugees and displaced people, community development, literacy and education, HIV/AIDS and malaria.

Areas Impacted

• The program was officially launched on August 11, 2006. All six diocesan bishops attended as well as the director of the national malaria control program, along with medical/health care directors of each targeted district.
• NetsforLife has prioritized program implementation in following communities in the northern regions of the country—the highlands—where drought and food shortages have contributed to the increase of malaria in the area.
  • Ngozi/Buye
  • Muyinga
  • Makamba
• Trainings have been held in each of the targeted dioceses. Participants included clergy, lay church leaders, medical personnel, and grassroots mobilizers.

*Data on Burundi based on figures from UNICEF Country Info, 2005.
**Data on Burundi based on figures from United Nations Human Development Program Reports, 2000.