Lang Lang, the newest and youngest UN Children's Fund (UNICEF)'s Chinese goodwill ambassador, will visit east African nations from next week to raise awareness about the impact of malaria on children, the UN agency said in Narobi, the capital city of Kenya, Tuesday.
 
As a young pianist acclaimed in major concert halls in North America, Europe and Asia, Lang Lang has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to connect with audiences on a deeply personal level.

He is expected to raise awareness on the current efforts being taken by UNICEF and its partners to address the malaria situation, the UN organization said in a statement.

Lang Lang is scheduled to arrive in Kenya this weekend and he is to visit Tanzania from Aug. 2 to 6 to conduct field visits to UNCIEF-supported projects in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.

Malaria which kills 3,000 children in Africa every day, remains the leading cause of death of youngsters on the continent and it is still one of the most important threats to the health of pregnant women.

According to scientists, a proper use of insecticide-treated nets can reduce deaths from malaria by at least 20 percent. However, less than 15 percent of children and pregnant women currently sleep under a treated bed net.

(Xinhua News Agency July 28, 2004)