The winning organizations are based in:

• Côte d’Ivoire: ONG Agis
• Nigeria: Bako Youth Development Foundation
• Malawi: Focus on Ability Society
• Uganda: Makerere University Lung Institute
• Cameroon: Hope for Vulnerable Children Association
• Zimbabwe: Community Working Group on Health
• India: Rural Women Development Trust
• Nepal: Center for Health and Disease Studies
• Bangladesh: Institute of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
• the Philippines: Alay Buhay Community Development Foundation
• Pakistan: Nur Foundation

Each winner will receive 2,000 Euros to host activities during a World Pneumonia Week of Action beginning on November 7, 2022 and culminating in World Pneumonia Day on November 12, 2022. Several activities will be showcased during a Virtual World Pneumonia Day Webinar: “Fighting Pneumonia: An Agenda for Action,” on November 14, 2022.

The 11 winners were selected from 60 outstanding proposals reviewed by three judges – Dr. Valentina Picot of the Mérieux Foundation, Dr. Chizoba Wonodi from the International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins University and Leith Greenslade from Every Breath Counts.

The fight to reduce deaths from pneumonia has never been more critical.

The combined impact of the pandemic, climate change, and war is placing millions at risk of infection and death. Children living in areas where vaccination rates are declining, and malnutrition is rising due to food shortages, are particularly vulnerable. UNICEF has predicted an explosion in child deaths if there are not urgent efforts to reach these children.

Most of the populations dangerously exposed to pneumonia live in a group of low- and middle-income countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, including the 11 countries that are home to the winning entries. Their efforts to mobilize communities to educate and empower families, and strengthen health systems to more effectively prevent, diagnosis, and treat pneumonia, will make a major difference.

The jury congratulates the winning organizations and look forward to showcasing their efforts on World Pneumonia Day to inspire many more communities to take action.

Contact

Dr. Valentina Picot
Mérieux Foundation
Email: valentina.picot@fondation-merieux.org 

Leith Greenslade
Every Breath Counts Coalition
Email: leith@justactions.org