Malaria is still one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. AMREF has been implementing a malaria prevention and control programe in Afar region since 2005. The main activities include training healthcare service providers, equipping health centers, training mother coordinators,
distributing insecticide treated nets and sensitizing local leaders on malaria
prevention and control. As a result of this program, the skills of over 200 health care service providers on diagnosis and treatment improved. There was a 34% increase in knowledge about transmission of malaria, 62.5% increase in ITN possession, and 48% increase in treatment seeking behavior at community level. At present, about 300 mother coordinators are in place at community level. There has also been a significant decrease in epidemic occurrences of malaria. The program has demonstrated a reasonable and replicable model of malaria prevention and control by strengthening and linking the different segments of health systems in pastoralist communities.