The Against Malaria Foundation is one of the most effective global health charities in the world, and the single most common donation target for EA Survey respondents (2018 and 2019). What makes this organization so special? How do they approach their work, and what challenges do they face? Founder and CEO Rob Mather answers these questions.

Rob Mather is the founder and CEO of The Against Malaria Foundation. AMF has now raised more than $190 million, funding 86 million anti-mosquito bed nets protecting 155 million people in 35 countries, mainly in Africa.

AMF uses technology, rigorous processes and clear accountability to ensure aid is delivered effectively. For seven of the past eight years, AMF has been a top-ranked charity of the independent charity evaluators GiveWell and The Life You Can Save.

Why malaria?

Malaria kills about 400,000 people every year and more than 200 million fall ill. Before bed nets were made available, it was three or more times that. Nets are a proven intervention – a more effective a way of saving lives than any other. There is still a long way to go and every death from malaria is preventable.

1. 70% of the deaths are children under 5
2. Malaria is the world’s single largest killer of pregnant women
3. 90% of the deaths are in sub-Saharan Africa

Yet malaria is totally preventable and treatable. Nobody need die. Prevention is better than treatment.

1. The most effective means of prevention is sleeping under a mosquito net
2. Specifically a Long-Lasting Insecticide treated Net (LLIN)
3. Each net costs $2.00/€1,70/£1.50
4. Every 50-250 nets distributed and installed equals 1 life saved

Given the scale of this problem, malaria is clearly a humanitarian issue.

Malaria is also an economic issue. Malaria is the single greatest drag on the economy of Africa. Every $1m spent fighting malaria efficiently improves the GDP – the wealth – of the continent of Africa by $12m. Fighting malaria is a very good investment.

As well as the approximately 400,000 people that die from malaria each year, more than 200 million fall sick with malaria. And that means a parent has to stay home with a sick child, teachers cannot teach, farmers cannot farm, drivers cannot drive, people cannot function. It fundamentally affects people working and productivity in Africa.

Every $1m we spend fighting malaria efficiently we improve the GDP – the wealth – of the continent of Africa by $12m.

If we want to help Africa out of the situation we all find it in beating malaria is very high up, if not top of, the list.

This talk was taken from EA Global Asia and Pacific 2020. Click here to watch the talk with the PowerPoint presentation.

Effective Altruism is a social movement dedicated to finding ways to do the most good possible, whether through charitable donations, career choices, or volunteer projects. EA Global conferences are gatherings for EAs to meet. You can also listen to this talk along with its accompanying video on YouTube.