Community Assistance

KONAMI supports the activities of the “World Swim Against Malaria (WSM)”（*1） charity in addressing the profound issue of malaria（*2） in Africa and elsewhere.

Established in 2005, WSM has worked through swimming to gather funds for purchasing mosquito nets that protect people from mosquitos and thus, prevent the transmission of malaria.

Despite the fact that mosquito nets (around 500 yen/net) can prevent the transmission of malaria, it is said that 300M to 500M people are affected every year due to their inability to purchase these mosquito nets, and that nearly 1M people die from the disease every year, of which 70% are children under 5 years of age. This means that one child loses their life every 30 seconds.（*3）

In an effort to help wherever possible in resolving the issue of malaria, KONAMI set up a collection box at the “KONAMI OPEN Competitive Swim Meet 2011” (held in January 2011) in order to receive donations from the many people who gathered at the event.

The donations will be used to purchase mosquito nets, which will then be delivered to malaria regions via international aid agencies selected by the UK Headquarters of the NPO Against Malaria Foundation.

(*1) "World Swim Against Malaria (WSM)" gathers donations through swimming and distributes mosquito nets beneficial in the prevention of malaria for free in areas stricken by malaria.
(Source: “World Swim Against Malaria” official website)

(*2)  Malaria is one of the world's top three infectious diseases and is a communicable disease whereby the malaria parasite enters the body through anopheles mosquito stings.
The disease is found mainly in tropical regions and is classified into the 4 types of tropical malaria, tertian malaria, quartan malaria, and ovale malaria depending on the type of parasite. Malaria is spread widely in tropical and subtropical regions, and is common in more than 100 countries across the world.
Mosquito control is considered most effective as a vaccine is yet to be developed.
(Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Quarantine Station website, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website, "World Swim Against Malaria" official website)

(*3)  Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website, "World Swim Against Malaria" official website, World Health Organization website

Mosquito nets purchased using donations are delivered to children living in malaria regions and set up over their beds.		"World Swim Against Malaria" official website

From donations to distribution of mosquito nets