How do charities address malaria?

Many charities run programs to distribute insecticide-treated bednets to protect against mosquitoes that transmit malaria. We have seen few charities focusing on other anti-malaria programs such as medicines to treat malaria or spraying pesticide to kill mosquitoes.

Based on a review of the evidence for insecticide-treated net distributions, we believe that under $2000 can save a life. For more information, see our full evidence review of mass distributions of insecticide-treated nets.

What are the challenges of finding a great malaria charity?

Donors should be aware that while ITNs are a highly cost-effective way to save lives, charities' claims of the low cost of saving a life with an net can be overblown.2 $10 may buy and distribute a net, but not every child who sleeps under a net would have died otherwise, and even properly used nets do not offer 100% protection.

Where should you donate to fight malaria?

For donors interested in using their donation to fight malaria, we recommend:

• Against Malaria Foundation, which distributes insecticide-treated nets. AMF is extremely transparent, publishing the status of each distribution on its website. For more, see our full review of the AMF.

• 1.

  See list of leading causes of death (2004).

• 2.

  Examples:

  • Nothing But Nets claims on its website that if people buy a Nothing But Nets t-shirt or hat, "Ten dollars from every purchase will send a net and save a life of a child in Africa." (Nothing But Nets. It's Easy to Help. http://www.nothingbutnets.net/its-easy-to-help/ (accessed April 29, 2010). Screenshot available at http://www.givewell.org/files/ExternalWebsites/NothingButNets/easytohelp....)
  • Fox Soccer Channel donates $10 to Malaria No More for every goal scored in a campaign called "Every Goal Saves a Life." (Fox Sports. Every Goal Saves a Life. http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/nomalaria (accessed April 29, 2010). PDF "snapshot" available at http://www.givewell.org/files/ExternalWebsites/foxsports.pdf