On Mandela Day 2020, we share the successes that we have achieved and the lessons that we have learned as we battle the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on society’s most vulnerable and marginalized communities. In a compelling video, Joy Ruwodo, Director of Public Affairs at the END Fund highlights why ending neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) – intestinal worms, bilharzia, river blindness, etc. – is critical in the fight for equality in Africa.

Today, there are over 600 million African suffering from NTDs. These diseases hinder people from achieving their full potential and also threaten social development. Joy makes a call to action for investment in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programs and services.

In addition, she also highlights the need for more robust cross-sector partnerships to strengthen disease response across all levels.

As we celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela who dedicated his life fighting for social justice for 67 years, the fight to end NTDs still continues. We must see an end to these diseases during our lifetime! After all, Nelson Mandela taught us that nothing is impossible; it only seems impossible until it is done.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of the END Fund.

About the END Fund
The END Fund is the only private philanthropic initiative dedicated to ending the five most common neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). NTDs are a group of parasitic and bacterial infectious diseases – such as river blindness and intestinal worms – that affect over 1.7 billion people worldwide (including 1 billion children). These diseases are disabling and debilitating and cause early death, if left untreated.