AED/NetMark and Mobil Oil Zambia Launch Campaign to Fight Malaria; ``Every Liter You Buy Waves Malaria Goodbye''.

Energy Editors/Business Editors

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 2, 2003

NetMark -- a USAID-funded partnership between the Academy for Educational Development (AED) and more than 15 multinational and African manufacturers and distributors of insecticide-treated bed nets -- is teaming up with Mobil Oil Zambia to launch the "Help Us Help" campaign. The campaign will make lifesaving insecticide-treated bed nets available to vulnerable populations in Zambia, supporting the Zambia National Malaria Control Centre's ongoing efforts.

Now through the end of July, a portion of gasoline sales sold from select Mobil Marts throughout Zambia will help subsidize 7,000 coupons for bed nets to pregnant women and parents with young children. In addition, children's orphanages will receive 1,500 bed nets directly.

"More than two million Africans die annually from malaria. In Zambia alone, malaria kills 40,000 children under five each year. Use of insecticide-treated bed nets can reduce mortality rates by 25 to 45 percent," said David McGuire, director of the AED NetMark project. "The 'Help Us Help' campaign will increase both the availability and affordability of NetMark-approved bed nets."

"We are pleased to help in the prevention of malaria in Africa," said Geoff Cardinal, Africa fuels services manager for ExxonMobil. "The coupons will be redeemable at designated Mobil Marts as well as any retail outlet displaying the NetMark seal of quality."

NetMark, a unique public-private partnership designed and managed by AED, was launched in October 2001 to simultaneously build the supply of, and demand for, these treated bed nets. Currently in six countries in Africa, NetMark is one of USAID's primary mechanisms for supporting the "Roll Back Malaria" global partnership. "Roll Back Malaria" members include international donors, nongovernmental organizations, the private sector and malaria-endemic countries.

Mobil Oil Zambia, a wholly owned affiliate of Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), has been operating in the country for nearly 40 years. ExxonMobil has a long history of anti-malaria activities, including participation in the "Roll Back Malaria" initiative in five West African countries.