Guerrilla action in Rotterdam successful

Malaria No More chose a playful way to draw attention to the Mosquito Net Against Malaria campaign by draping statues of famous people in the city centre of Rotterdam with mosquito nets. This action was the official start of the Mosquito Net Against Malaria campaign, which ends in Rotterdam on 25 April with the draping of the Euromast in a mosquito net. The purpose of this campaign, which is being managed by Arjan Erkel and Steven Kop of Creatieve Koppen, is to focus attention on malaria.

Rotterdam City Hall
The action started at Rotterdam City Hall. The first mosquito nets were hung over the statues of Johan van Oldenbarnevelt and Hugo de Groot. Twenty other statues were also draped in mosquito nets.

Malaria can be eradicated
Arjan Erkel: 'The scale at which this disease occurs and its devastating effect call for action. Especially because malaria can be prevented, treated and eradicated.'

The Netherlands was only declared malaria-free in 1970 by the World Health Organization. With a good strategy, malaria can be eradicated in other countries, too. It is possible to control and ultimately eradicate the disease everywhere in the world.

Guinness Book of Records
Arjan Erkel: 'This guerrilla action marked the beginning of a much larger action that will take place at the end of April. The Mosquito Net Against Malaria campaign will end on World Malaria Day on 25 April 2011 by draping the Euromast with the biggest mosquito net in the world.' The Euromast is not just being draped to draw attention to malaria, but also to draw attention to the money needed so 50,000 mosquito nets can be distributed in Africa. Malaria No More! also hopes to get an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Steven Kop: 'The facts about malaria are shocking: we must get rid of this disease!'