One hundred landmarks in 34 countries, including the iconic SM Mall of Asia Globe in the Philippines, recently lit up for World NTD Day to highlight neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) which affect more than 1.7 billion worldwide, including 1 billion children.
The Great Wall of China, Niagara Falls in Canada, The Colosseum and Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, the Carter Presidential Library in the U.S., and the Windmills of Kinderdijk in The Netherlands were among the iconic landmarks that participated in the global light up for the third annual World NTD Day. Several monuments, universities, and notable buildings were also lit up in Abu Dhabi, where World NTD Day was originally announced in 2019.
The 100 “light ups” aim to shine a light on NTDs in support of the World Health Organization’s goal to eliminate at least one NTD from 100 endemic countries by 2030. The Philippines is endemic to 6 of the 20 identified NTDs in the world. NTDs are a group of communicable diseases including dengue, chikungunya, leprosy, rabies, and lymphatic filariasis. While these diseases can debilitate, disfigure, and even be fatal, they are preventable and treatable.
World NTD Day was officially recognized by the WHO in May 2021.
The Department of Foreign Affairs Office of Public and Cultural Diplomacy-Cultural Diplomacy Division Assistant Director Emmylou Felimer and SM Mall of Asia mall manager Ly-anne Salazar graced the light up in the Philippines.