The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust has announced a $2.19 million grant to Sightsavers to help eliminate trachoma in Zambia.

Trachoma begins as a bacterial infection of the eye, with symptoms similar to conjunctivitis. Repeated infections cause scarring that makes people’s eyelashes turn inward and scrape painfully against the eye with every blink. Left untreated, trachoma leads to permanent blindness.

In Zambia, 33 districts—home to more than 3.6 million people—need support in the final stages of their journey to eliminate trachoma. The Zambian government is leading the fight to eliminate the disease as a public health problem, with the support of organizations such as Sightsavers and other partners.

“Sightsavers is in a position to help make history by supporting Zambia to eliminate trachoma and already has a strong track record in this area, having worked with governments to successfully eliminate trachoma in Ghana, Gambia, Malawi, Benin, and Mali,” said Helmsley Charitable Trust trustee Walter Panzirer. “We hope that Helmsley funding can fuel momentum toward Zambia eliminating this horrific disease.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/wilpunt)