Artemisinin-resistant P. falciparum emerged in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) in the early 2000s, threatening the treatment that cures more than 90% of the world’s deadliest malaria. In response, The Global Fund launched the Regional Artemisinin-resistance Initiative (RAI) in 2014.​

The RAI supports prevention, diagnosis and treatment and builds resilient health and community systems — delivered by national malaria programmes, community health workers, civil society, research institutions and technical partners under the oversight of the Regional Steering Committee (RSC).

This has put several countries on the brink of malaria elimination, almost freeing their populations from the disease and bringing significant health and economic dividends.​