With more than 200 million cases recorded across the globe each year and half the world’s population living in areas considered high risk, malaria remains a challenge.

Malaria occurs mostly in poor, tropical and sub-tropical areas. It is transmitted by an infected mosquito. In the human body, the parasites multiply in the liver and then infect red blood cells. In 2012, there was estimated 207 million malaria cases, resulting in 627,000 deaths. About 90% of the deaths were in sub-Saharan Africa.

SEE MORE: Humanity Can — And Will — #DefeatMalaria

In 2012, there was estimated 207 million malaria cases. About 90% of the deaths were in sub-Saharan Africa.

But over the next 15 years, the number of malaria cases and deaths could be reduced by up to 90% if the agenda of the World Health Organization and the Roll Back Malaria partnership is fully implemented. Central to their approach is the global technical strategy for malaria, created by the organization, and a parallel advocacy plan. Created by the partnership, this involves action and investment to defeat malaria between 2016 and 2030.