Belgium’s Princess Astrid has been spending the past week in the Middle East promoting awareness of malaria, as a representative of Roll Back Malaria (RBM). The princess has been a longtime advocate of the illness. 
She began her visit on March 27th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, by visiting a Riyadh hospital and met with its staff.
The next day, Astrid met with Saudi Arabia’s Finance Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf. She spoke to him about getting the government to join and support an international program aimed to combat malaria.
On March 29th, Astrid then met with Prince Alwaleed bin Talal and his wife, Ameera at the Kingdom Centre. There, the three discussed humanitarian and philanthropic issues, as well as economic and bilaterial ties between Saudi Arabia and Belgium. The Prince expressed his desire to fight malaria through his charity foundation.
Yesterday, the Princess went to another Riyadh hospital.
Today, Astrid left Saudi Arabia for the United Arab Emirates, a country declared malaria free in January 2007.
“I was very impressed to see the results achieved by the authorities to fight malaria in the UAE and to keep the country malaria free,” Princess Astrid told the National.
“I hope now that the country will be able to share this knowledge and maybe to participate actively [in] the global fight by becoming a partner of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership.”
The Princess, who has five children, explained how the plight of children made her interested in the fight against malaria.
“I was shocked to find out that most of malaria’s victims were children under five years of age,” she said.
“I am deeply concerned by this tragedy, and I am trying to do everything that is within my power to stop it.”
In the UAE she met the Minister of Health, Humaid Mohammed Obaid al Qattami, to discuss the UAE’s strategy in eradicating the disease.
In the coming days, Princess Astrid will go to Qatar.
Malaria is still a problem in such countries as Yemen, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Princess Astrid is the second child and only daughter of King Albert II and Queen Paola. She was once the president of the Belgian Red Cross.
For her work with malaria, she has received numerous awards.
