Indoor Residual Spraying for malaria offers protection and resilience in East Sumba
Community-led spraying programme transforms bamboo houses into safer family spaces
Kawan Against Malaria – Indoor Residual Spraying in East Sumba | In a concerted effort to combat malaria (East Sumba Malaria Prevention Project), the Kawan Against Malaria program, led by the Fair Future Foundation, conducted a detailed indoor residual spraying (IRS) operation in East Sumba, an area highly affected by malaria. With over 16 years of experience in humanitarian health, our Swiss-founded organisation embodies global health expertise. In partnership with Rotary International and Malaria Partners International, this program spans three months.
In each village, the IRS process begins at the community hall, where health specialists explain the technique and provide instructions on preparations. Villagers, with few possessions, such as sleeping mats and cooking utensils, prepare their homes for treatment. This meticulous process involves spraying each bamboo or wooden house, inside and out, which takes nearly two hours per house.
IRS remains one of the most effective methods against malaria, as the insecticide adheres to walls, killing mosquitoes on contact and reducing the spread of the disease. Despite its effectiveness, the intervention requires significant equipment and logistical planning and must be repeated every six months. Its impact is nonetheless significant: treated homes become safer spaces for children and families.
After spraying, an official sticker is affixed to each house, indicating the date of treatment and reminding residents of the next step. This simple gesture is a protective measure for the community.
The attached gallery of 40 images illustrates the scale of the efforts and collective strength: from the training sessions and meticulous preparations, to the hard work of our teams in protective gear, the cooperative spirit of the villagers, and the quiet dignity of the families fighting to overcome malaria.
In Short – Fighting Malaria, Protecting Lives
Over the next three months, Fair Future and Kawan Baik will intensify their efforts to combat malaria in East Sumba. Laboratory analysts will be trained for precise diagnosis, high-risk homes will be treated with insecticides, and hundreds of families will sleep under insecticide-treated nets. More than a campaign, this project strengthens community health, safeguards children and mothers, and brings East Sumba closer to a malaria-free future. Click here for more information.
Alex Wettstein – Fair Future Foundation medico-social camp in East Sumba – Rumah Kambera, Lambanapu – September 15th, 2025
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