For centuries, the people of the South Halmahera islands have been dealing with a major health threat that those living in other parts of Indonesia have since forgotten. The threat is malaria, a disease that attacks the most vulnerable. Now, the government, UNICEF and other partners are taking concerted action to end this threat. Yamli village, which is only accessible by boat, is in one of the areas worst-affected by malaria. Surrounded by swamps, it is an ideal breeding ground for the deadly anopheles mosquito, which carries the disease.


A health worker gives polio vaccine during health services at a Health Center in Kou Bala-Bala villave, sub district east kasiruta, District South Halmahera, North Maluku © UNICEF/Purnomo

Local resident Ester Rahmat lost one of her twin daughters last year, when the girl was just 21 months old. “She got a fever and I brought her to the clinic. They said it was malaria,” recalled Ms. Rahmat. “They gave her something but it was too late, and she died the next morning.”

Ms. Rahmat also contracted malaria and had to be to be treated at the hospital. Two of her neighbours lost their babies to the disease around the same time.

Bed nets are first line of defense. To support Indonesia’s goal of eliminating malaria by 2030, UNICEF is helping to implement an ambitious prevention programme in high-risk areas.

Sakinah gets bednet at Health Center in Kou Bala-Bala village, sub district East Kasiruta, District South Halmahera, North Maluku  © UNICEF/Purnomo






























Bed nets that have been treated with insecticide are one of the first lines of defense in the malaria campaign. This effort is unique in that it works closely with the government’s immunization programmes and maternal and child health initiatives. The bed nets are given to the most vulnerable groups, including pregnant women and mothers with babies.

During the monthly clinic at a village health post, women line up for basic health care and nutrition assistance. It is here that they will receive the bed nets. Mothers with young children are provided nets after the children receive basic immunization. Pregnant women receive nets after they have taken a blood test to see if they are carrying malaria.

“We can all sleep peacefully” Over the years, Indonesia has won many battles against this disease. But to win the war against malaria, the programme needs to be maintained and expanded. The cost of a bed net is about $7. Back in Yamli Village, Ms. Rahmat now puts her children to sleep under their new bed net. “I don’t worry when we go to sleep now. I don’t worry about getting bitten by mosquitoes. We can all sleep peacefully,” she said.

With your help, many more mothers with young children like Ms. Rahmat will be protected from malaria, the deadly disease.