Malaria Consortium joins more than 116 million people - nearly 2% of the World\'s Population - in \'Stand Up Against Poverty\'

23 October 2008
Staff from Malaria Consortium (MC) in Uganda and the UK joined with millions of people worldwide to take a stand against poverty on Friday 17th October, the United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

Shortly after the event took place it was announced that MC staff had joined with more than 116 million other people - nearly two percent of the world population - who mobilized at events in 131 countries on October 17-19 as part of "Stand Up and Take Action." The mobilization, which was ratified by Guinness as breaking the world record for the biggest mass mobilization on a single issue, sends a clear message to world leaders that citizens will not stay seated while promises to end poverty remain unfulfilled

In Uganda staff came together for an MC stand up event but in the UK staff participated in the initiative in conjunction with seven other international development charities. The UK event ended in a signed pledge whereby the charities signified why they were standing up against poverty and what their organisations would continue to do in the fight against malaria. This pledge was then sent to local MP Meg Hillier asking for her continued support.

Last year, more than 43 million people in 87 countries participated in the STAND UP action. People worldwide were asked to physically stand up as a representation of their commitment to fighting global poverty. Equally important was the fact that everyone took a concrete action with a political impact to ensure their politicians are held accountable for their promises to poor people.

MC Staff in Uganda standing up against poverty"We are pleased to have been part of such a mass mobilisation" said Sunil Mehra, Executive Director of Malaria Consortium, "Malaria Consortium is standing up against poverty because malaria and poverty are intimately connected. As both a root cause and a consequence of poverty, malaria takes its toll on the poorest - those least able to afford preventative measures and medical treatment. Controlling malaria will have a major effect on the ability to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and must be addressed if we are to improve upon progress towards meeting these targets."

About Stand Up Against Poverty

In 2000 world leaders signed up to the Millennium Development Goals - a blueprint to halve global poverty by 2015. STAND UP day is a way of reminding the government of its commitments to reaching the Millennium Development Goals, and helping those who live in poverty.

For more information contact:

Sarah Pickwick, Advocacy Officer   +44 (0)20 7549 0217, [email protected]

Notes to Editors: Other charities that participated in the UK stand up against poverty event in Development House, London are ACCORD, the Greenbelt movement, Healthlink Worldwide, Children of the Andes, IANSA, WeZimbabwe & Zimbabwe Association.