United to Beat Malaria

United to Beat Malaria, previously known as Nothing But Nets, is a global grassroots campaign spearheaded by the United Nations Foundation with the ambitious goal of eradicating malaria. This campaign represents the world’s largest movement dedicated to combating malaria, a disease that is both preventable and treatable yet continues to claim a child’s life nearly every minute. Initially sparked by a call to action in a Sports Illustrated column by Rick Reilly in 2006, the movement has grown significantly over the past 15 years, evolving from focusing solely on distributing insecticide-treated bed nets to employing a comprehensive suite of innovative tools and strategies aimed at fighting malaria. The campaign unites a wide network of over 350,000 donors, advocates, and partners worldwide to protect the most vulnerable populations, including young children, pregnant women, and those living in conflict and disaster-stricken areas​​.

Throughout its evolution, United to Beat Malaria has made substantial progress, having protected more than 39 million people by providing over 13 million bed nets, along with other critical testing, treatments, and tools. The campaign has also been instrumental in advocating for increased funding for vital malaria programs such as the President’s Malaria Initiative and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 disruptions, insecticide and drug resistance, climate change, and displacement, United to Beat Malaria remains committed to its mission. With the support of its diverse array of donors, partners, and champions, the campaign strives for a malaria-free world, emphasizing the importance of global health equity and the need for continued innovation and partnership in the fight against this ancient disease