Frequently Asked Questions

Nothing But Nets supporters like you want to be as informed as possible in the fight against malaria. To help you learn more, we've pulled together this list of Frequently Asked Questions. Have we left your question out? You can contact us at any time — on Facebook, Twitter, email, or phone — and we'll help you find the answer.

Questions About Nothing But Nets?

Questions About Malaria?

Questions About Bed Nets?

About Nothing But Nets

• What is Nothing But Nets?
• How can I help?
• How does my $10 donation get to Africa?
• Why did the UN Foundation decide to get involved in this cause?
• How does Nothing But Nets choose which countries receive bed nets?
• Can I request bed nets for a specific location or project?
• If I donate in honor of a family member of friend, can an acknowledgment be sent notifying the honoree of my donation?
• Is Nothing But Nets or the UN Foundation a 501(c)(3)? If so, can I get a copy of the form to submit for tax purposes?
• Does Nothing But Nets have display nets that I can use for my fundraising efforts?

• What is Nothing But Nets?
The UN Foundation's Nothing But Netsis a global, grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading cause of death among children in Africa. The campaign was inspired by sports columnist Rick Reilly, who challenged each of his readers to donate at least $10 to purchase anti-malaria bed nets. To date, tens of thousands of people have joined the campaign that was created by the UN Foundation in 2006.
• How can I help?
It's easy: Send a net and save a life.Visit NothingButNets.net to donate and learn more. Then help us save more lives by spreading the buzz about the movement to end malaria to get your friends, family, and community involved. Find all of the different way to get involved and take action.
• How does my $10 donation get to Africa?
Nothing But Nets works with the Measles Initiative to purchase the nets, transport them to Africa, and distribute them to families. The Measles Initiative is a long-term effort to control measles deaths that has successfully delivered more than 400 million vaccinations and other health services in sub-Saharan Africa. The Measles Initiative partners -- the American Red Cross, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the United Nations Foundation -- have expertise in accessing remote, hard-to-reach areas throughout Africa.
• Why did the UN Foundation decide to get involved in this cause?
The UN Foundation has been working to fight malaria for years. Sports columnist Rick Reilly came to the UN Foundation as he was writing his column about malaria to find out how to help the UN fight malaria in Africa. Thousands responded immediately with letters and donations totaling over $1 million. The UN Foundation decided to build on the momentum, and created Nothing But Nets.
• How does Nothing But Nets choose which countries receive bed nets?
Nothing But Netsworks with United Nations partners to purchase long-lasting, insecticide-treated nets, distribute them, and educate families on their use. The UN agencies, including the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), and the World Health Organization (WHO) world closely with local ministries of health to determine where nets are needed. These decisions take much consideration and are based on the prevalence of the disease, the number of years since distribution, and the interest and preparedness of each country. Such coordination is necessary to conduct effective and efficient campaigns as well as to ensure sustainability.
• Can I request bed nets for a specific location or project?
Nothing But Netsis unable to take requests for nets for specific projects. Our net distributions are coordinated with United Nations agencies and are typically on a country-wide scale. Additionally, the campaign, which is based in Washing, DC, does not house the nets that get sent to Africa and does not have access to them prior to their arrival in the recipient country. For these reasons, we are unable to designate nets for any projects outside of our work with the UN.
• If I donate in honor of a family member of friend, can an acknowledgment be sent notifying the honoree of my donation?
Yes, Nothing But Nets can send an electronic acknowledgment to the honoree of your donation. When making the donation online, check the tribute box which reads, “Click here to make a gift in honor of a friend or loved one.” You can then include the name and e-mail address of the honoree, along with a personal message. Nothing But Nets will e-mail the acknowledgment right after the donation is made. If the honoree does not have internet access, please send an e-mail with “donation acknowledgment” in the subject line to info@NothingButNets.net. Please include in the e-mail the following: your name, date of donation, and the name and mailing address of the honoree whom you wish to receive the acknowledgment. If you would like the honoree to receive the acknowledgment by a certain date, please be sure to send the e-mail at least 10 days prior to that date.
• Is Nothing But Nets or the UN Foundation a 501(c)(3)? If so, can I get a copy of the form to submit for tax purposes?
Nothing But Nets is a campaign of the UN Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) public charity. If you are looking for a copy of the 501(c)(3) form for tax purposes, please send an e-mail with “501(c)(3) form” in the subject line and your contact information to info@nothingbutnets.net.
• Does Nothing But Nets have display nets that I can use for my fundraising efforts?
You can find display bed nets on the Nothing But Nets online store at http://NothingButNets.net/store. These bed nets are not treated with insecticide and are therefore not eligible to be sent to Africa to protect families. However, they make great displays for your fundraisers. Also, with each display net that you purchase, we will send a life-saving net to Africa to help protect a family in need.

About Malaria

• How many people die of malaria every year?
• When and how was malaria eliminated from the United States?

• How many people die of malaria every year?
Malaria is one of the world's most serious global health issues. More than 200 million people each year are infected, and more than 600,000 of those die. Malaria is particularly devastating in Africa where the disease is a leading cause of death among children. Every 60 seconds, a child in Africa dies from a malaria infection.
• When and how was malaria eliminated from the United States?
Malaria was eliminated in the United States between 1947 and 1951 through the National Malaria Eradication Program, a cooperative undertaking initiated by the state and local health agencies of 13 Southeastern states and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). On July 1, 1947, the program began to systematically apply DDT to the interior surface of rural homes or entire premises in countries where malaria was reported to have been in recent years. This initiative proved successful, by the end of 1949, more than 4.6 million DDT house spray applications had been made. However, total elimination of transmission of malaria in the US took longer to achieve. In the year 1951, malaria was considered eliminated from the united States.

About Bed Nets

• How do bed nets save lives?
• Where are bed nets produced, and what type of material is used in these nets?
• How long will a net last before it is no longer effective or needs to be replaced?
• How do the nets protect the families? What helps protect them during the day when they are outside of their homes?
• Does the mosquito repellent have to be re-applied and is it safe for children?

• How do bed nets save lives?
Bed nets work in two ways. They stop mosquitoes from biting during the night and spreading the disease, and the insecticide on the net kills the mosquitoes when they land on it, stopping them from flying on to find their next victim. High coverage rates of bed nets curb the spread of malaria by up to 90 percent.
• Where are bed nets produced, and what type of material is used in these nets?
The nets purchased and distributed by Nothing But Nets are long-lasting, insecticide-treated bed nets that have been approved by the UN World Health Organization (WHO) for safety, quality, and efficacy. The five companies that are currently producing these WHO-approved nets included: Vestergaard-Frandsen, Sumitomo Chemical, A to Z Textiles, Woinu Curtain Trade, and BASF. Vestergaard-Frandsen, a Dutch company, produces a LLIN called "Permanet." Sumitomo Chemical, a company based in Japan, produces a LLIN called "Olyset Net." And BASF, a German company, produces a LLIN called "Interceptor."

While the major net development and productions companies are internationally based, many are partnering with in-country manufacturing companies in order to stimulate employment and local economies.

The material used in the long-lasting nets differs depending on the manufacturer. For instance, The Permanet is made of polyethylene and polyester.
• How long will a net last before it is no longer effective or needs to be replaced?
The long-lasting, insecticide-treated bed nets distributed by the Nothing But Netscampaign are made with durable materials and have the insecticide woven into the net. They remain effective for up to 3 years (and up to 20 washes).
• How do the nets protect the families? What helps protect them during the day when they are outside of their homes?
There are many different ways to prevent malaria. Bed nets, indoor residual spraying, and water treatment are all important tools. A long-lasting, insecticide-treated net is one of the most effective tools to prevent malaria. Studies show that the use of insecticide-treated bed nets can reduce transmission as much as 90 percent in areas with high coverage rates. Bed nets prevent malaria transmission by creating a protective barrier against mosquitoes at night, when the vast majority of transmissions occur.

The malaria causing parasite is transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquito, which is nocturnal. That is, she only bites at night. As such, bed nets are an extremely effective prevention tool.

A bed net is usually hung above the center of a bed or sleeping space so that it completely covers the sleeping person, or family. A net treated with insecticide offers about twice the protections of an untreated net and can reduce the number of mosquitoes that enter the house and the overall number of mosquitoes in the area.
• Does the mosquito repellent have to be re-applied and is it safe for children?
The bed nets distributed by the Nothing But Nets campaign have insecticide woven into the fabric of the net. The insecticide is woven into the fabric of the net, making them long-lasting and effective for up to 3 years (and up to 20 washes). Therefore, they do not need to be re-treated.

The materials used and the type of long-lasting insecticide woven into Permanets, Olyset Nets, and Interceptor nets, the nets approved by the WHO, have been rigorously tested for safety and efficacy. These tests ensure that the children and families sleeping under these bed nets won't get sick from the insecticide woven into the fabric of the net.