Malaria thrives in times of crisis. When Ebola struck Africa and disrupted health care, malaria spiked. When Cyclones Idai and Kenneth tore through the Republic of Mozambique, malarious mosquitoes flourished in floodwater. As the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela caused by the criminal Maduro regime spiralled out of control, malaria soared.

On this World Malaria Day, the pandemic of COVID-19 poses a new threat to global progress against malaria. As during previous crises, we at the U.S. Agency for International Development will stand with communities around the world to fight this threat and protect the hard-won gains that collective, sustained global efforts against malaria have secured.

The United States has demonstrated unwavering global leadership through the U.S. President's Malaria Initiative (PMI), having invested more than $7 billion to fight malaria since 2006. This partnership has delivered life-saving tools to millions of people, including insecticide-treated mosquito nets and medicine. PMI has also trained health workers, developed disease-surveillance networks, equipped laboratories, and strengthened supply chains--cross-cutting investments that are yielding benefits as we fight COVID-19.

On this World Malaria Day, I commend PMI and the global malaria community for their dedication and progress, I urge malaria-control programs to persevere amidst the challenge of COVID-19, and I reaffirm the commitment of the United States to ending both these diseases.