Malaria, by its complexity involving health as well as environmental and socioeconomic determinants and consequences, relates to several of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Close to 90% of deaths due to malaria worldwide occur in Africa. The poor, children, pregnant women, people living with HIV/AIDS, victims of unrest and disasters and non-immune travelers are particularly vulnerable. World Malaria Day - which was instituted by the World Health Assembly at its 60th session in May 2007 - is a day for recognizing the global effort to provide effective control of malaria.