Celebrating Five Years 2006 -2011
table of
contents Letter from Our President 3
Malaria: Five Years Ago and Today
4
Our Global Impact 7 Together We Can Cover a Continent
9
Year 1: A Movement Is Born 11 Year 2: Spreading the Buzz 15 Year 3: A Safety Net 19 Year 4: United Against Malaria 23 Year 5: Champions 27 Partners 30 Faces of the Campaign 32 Advocacy 34 Infographic: Your $10
35
Letter From Our Director 36
6 5 More than
6
LETTER FROM
our PRESIDENT
Dear Partners and Friends: Five years ago, Rick Reilly’s groundbreaking column, titled “Nothing But Nets,” appeared in Sports Illustrated. Readers learned that it only takes $10 to provide a family with a bed net and education on how to use it to protect themselves against malaria. That piece sparked a movement that has raised more than $40 million to help the United Nations deliver over 6 million bed nets to protect families in Africa from malaria. In just five years, hundreds of thousands of people have joined the UN Foundation’s Nothing But Nets campaign to send nets and save lives, conveying the message that ending this disease is a global—and personal—priority. Across the United States and around the world, inspired young people have hiked hundreds of miles, hosted swim-a-thons, and set up lemonade stands to send nets and save lives. College students in Korea inspired friends and loved ones to provide bed nets for families in Ethiopia. Fashion designers have created net-inspired clothing and accessories to help save lives. Even Simba from the Broadway production of The Lion King asked theatergoers to join Nothing But Nets in the fight against malaria. We’ve visited dozens of cities around the country; in each one, we have been inspired by the individuals and organizations who have taken malaria prevention on as their cause. Today, with a dedicated group of diverse partners, a Global Malaria Action plan, and programs like the President’s Malaria Initiative and The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, we have the support and tools to be the generation that ends malaria deaths in Africa. The commitment of basketball players, pop stars, religious leaders, and regular folks inside and outside the United States proves that anyone can send a net and save a life. As reflected in the World Health Organization’s 2011 World Malaria Report, bed nets and other prevention efforts are working. It wasn’t long ago that a child died every 30 seconds from malaria. Today, the rate is every 60 seconds. Just a few years ago, malaria was the number one killer of refugees in Africa. Working in close partnership with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Nothing But Nets provided more than 1 million nets to African refugees. The results were measurable and dramatic. Now malaria is the fifth leading cause of death among refugees. We’re making real progress, but still have much work to do. Whether you joined us in 2006 with our founding partners like NBA Cares and The people of the United Methodist Church, were inspired by Rick Reilly’s column, participated in our nationwide Buzz Tour, or are a new supporter, we thank you for being part of the world’s largest grassroots campaign to end malaria. Nothing But Nets provides a unique opportunity for Americans to take action against malaria. Our mission is simple: Malaria kills. Nets save lives. Send a net. Save a life. The enthusiasm and determination of our supporters has helped the UN save millions of lives, and we are committed to sustaining that momentum. Together with the UN, we can end malaria deaths. On behalf of Elizabeth Gore, Chris Helfrich, and the Nothing But Nets team, thank you for sending nets and saving lives! With best wishes,
Timothy E. Wirth President, United Nations Foundation
CELEBRATING FIVE YEARS 3
mal aria: five years ago
and today
This past year, Nothing But Nets celebrated our 5th birthday. When we blew out our candles, we knew what we’d be wishing for: to end malaria deaths by 2015. We know it’s possible—we’ve seen how much supporters like you can do. And what we’ve accomplished in the last five years is incredible. In 2006, when the UN Foundation launched Nothing But Nets, there were about 500 million cases of malaria every year. Of those infected, more than 1 million people died. The community devoted to the fight against malaria was small. Internationally, $608 million went towards treatment and prevention. That was more money than ever before—but still not enough.
Five years ago, a child died from malaria every 30 seconds.
Now, a child dies from malaria every 60 seconds. In one decade, deaths from malaria have plummeted. Families are safer now. Half of families in sub-Saharan Africa now own at least one bed net, compared with just 3 percent of families in 2000. There is still more we can do to send nets and save lives. 40 percent of the world’s population lives in a country where malaria is common, and many of those people still don’t have lifesaving bed nets. With your continued support, we can put more nets into more homes. If we keep up this momentum, we can be the generation to end deaths from malaria.
five years. 4
CELEBRATING FIVE YEARS 5
6
OUR global
impact
The impact you’ve made is clear: In only five years, Nothing But Nets has distributed more than 6 million bed nets to people in 25 African countries. In 2011 alone, we helped our UN partners distribute: • • • • •
40,000 nets to Liberia, 86,000 nets to the Democratic Republic of Congo, 225,000 nets to Cameroon, 149,400 nets to the Horn of Africa, and an additional 1.5 million nets to the Central African Republic, Mozambique, and Guinea Bissau.
When you send a net, you ensure a family is covered in more ways than one: • • •
You help fill funding gaps and allow us to distribute nets to the people who need them most. You make sure more children sleep soundly beneath a bed net. You spread knowledge. With your support, we teach people how easy it is to save lives by preventing malaria.
One of our proudest moments came when we sent a bed net to cover every refugee in subSaharan Africa in 2009, through our partners at UNHCR. Refugee camps are safe havens for families who have been forced to leave their homes due to violence, famine, or environmental disasters. UNHCR provides these families with shelter, food, and water, among other essentials. Yet they’re still at risk for malaria—a leading cause of death among refugees. In the camps’ close quarters, it’s easy for mosquitoes to breed and spread malaria. That’s where Nothing But Nets comes in. With your help, we’ve sent more than 1 million nets to keep refugee men, women, and children safe from malaria.
one bed net CELEBRATING FIVE YEARS 7
8
Malaria rates have plummeted by more than 1/3 in the past decade
TOGETHER WE CAN
COVER A CONTINENT
NETS DISTRIBUTED 2007 TO 2010 NETS DISTRIBUTED IN 2011
GRAND TOTAL DELIVERED
6,500,000 bed nets
AND COUNTING
CELEBRATING FIVE YEARS 9
10
the Nothing But Nets story
year 1: a movement is born Rick Reilly proves that the pen is mightier than the swarm. The sports columnist learned that 3,000 kids die in Africa every day from malaria—and that something as simple as a net, the subject of nearly every sports column he’s written, could keep these children safe. Reilly was shocked, and moved to act. He thought that if only other sports fans understood the power of life-saving bed nets, they would help. Reilly was right. He published an article asking readers to donate $20 to send a net and save a life. Within a month, more than $1 million in donations poured in, inspiring the UN Foundation to create the Nothing But Nets campaign. Alongside The people of the United Methodist Church, the NBA, and Sports Illustrated, the campaign launched on November 14, 2006 in New York City. Major League Soccer’s MLS W.O.R.K.S., the Union for Reform Judaism, VH1, and “American Idol” signed up to spread the buzz not long after. A few months later, three of our Champions traveled with us to Mali to distribute bed nets that their fans helped fund: WNBA center Ruth Riley and MLS stars Diego Gutierrez and Dwayne De Rosario. In April, we kicked off a 12-city tour in Miami to spread the buzz nationwide how bed nets save lives. Thousands met Mozzie, our larger-than-life mosquito mascot. VH1 debuted a commercial where he bugged the cast of “Best Week Ever” to spread the buzz that, while mosquitoes in the United States are annoying, mosquitoes in Africa can be deadly. It was a tremendous year, but it was just the start.
96%
of people with access to a bed net use it CELEBRATING FIVE YEARS 11
Ruth Riley joins the UN Foundation’s
Nothing But Nets campaign to distribute nets to children in Mali
Diego Gutierrez and Dwayne De Rosario help deliver 2.2 million bed nets to families in Mali
Elizabeth Gore is joined by Bishop Thomas Bickerton of the United Methodist Church at the launch of
nothing but nets
year 1 a movement is born
After distributing bed nets in Nigeria, Rick Reilly pens “Nothing But Thanks� in
Sports Illustrated
Families hang life-saving bed nets in their homes
14
$10
is the cost of sending a life -saving bed net to protect a family in africa
the Nothing But Nets story
year 2: spreading the buzz In 2008, we fought malaria at backyard fundraisers in the United States and in remote villages in Africa and from the New York Stock Exchange trading floor to “The Colbert Report.” Even more people helped spread the buzz. We connected with two new partners: Orkin, the pest control experts; and JCI, a worldwide organization of young business leaders. Orkin rallied employees and customers around the country to “Fight the Bite” and raise money for bed nets, donating a net for every mosquito-related service purchased. April 25, 2008 was the first-ever World Malaria Day. We took over the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange to let everyone know that bed nets are a smart investment. UN Foundation Chairman Ted Turner, Rick Reilly, and Mozzie rang the closing bell. In September, Nothing But Nets’ fame grew when Stephen Colbert interviewed Reilly under a bed net on “The Colbert Report.” “It’s the all-time no-brainer,” Reilly told Colbert. “10 bucks saves a life.” Within days of the show airing, thousands of new supporters sent in donations and letters of support. The same month, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon demonstrated the worldwide commitment to saving lives from malaria by setting a goal to end malaria deaths by 2015. Everyday heroes like then 6-year-old Katherine Commale and her mom Lynda began raising money and awareness with a homemade diorama to put on a play about a family in Africa, showing how a net protects the family from malaria-carrying mosquitoes. In 2008 Katherine represented Nothing But Nets at the Clinton Global Initiative—and was interviewed on CNN. Today, at age 11, Katherine and Lynda have raised more than $200,000 to send tens of thousands of nets to families throughout Africa.
CELEBRATING FIVE YEARS 15
Gavin DeGraw plays for kids at a refugee camp in Uganda
The Jonas Brothers spread the buzz about fighting malaria during their concert tour
students across the country learn about malaria in Africa
Ted Turner and Mozzie ring insample the first NBN world day text malaria of what at the nyse happened
year 2 spreading the buzz
Youth supporters show that anyone can help end malaria deaths in Africa
More than
90%
of deaths caused by malaria are children under 5 18
the Nothing But Nets story
year 3: a safety net At the beginning of 2009, our partners at UNHCR asked Nothing But Nets to help send 275,000 bed nets to families seeking safety in refugee camps in four African countries. We knew malaria was the leading cause of death among refugees and pledged to raise enough for these nets by the end of the year. Five months later, we reached that goal, and set a bigger one: Nothing But Nets supporters and partners committed to covering more than 1 million refugees in 15 countries in Africa. Luckily, we had extra help from some new partners: Usher’s New Look Foundation, created by R&B legend Usher Raymond IV to empower young people to improve their communities and communities around world; and the Boy Scouts of America, another group of young leaders who help raise awareness about malaria. For the second World Malaria Day, we asked supporters to organize local events to raise awareness and resources in our Nets Challenge. Our friends and fans sprang into action, planning student-run pancake breakfasts in Massachusetts, 3-on-3 basketball tournaments in California, and penny drives in New York. We also asked Champions to send Messages of Hope. They poured in online and in person, and these words of support and life-saving nets were sent to refugees throughout Africa. In March, platinum recording artist Gavin DeGraw and actor Tom Cavanagh traveled with Nothing But Nets to deliver bed nets to thousands of refugees in Uganda. Gavin played guitar and sang for families there. Then in July, seven-time Grammy winner Usher and his New Look Foundation encouraged 130 young leaders ages 14 to 18 to spread the buzz and send 40,000 bed nets to Africa. A few months later in October, ABC’s “Ugly Betty” featured Nothing But Nets, becoming the first sitcom to film at UN headquarters in New York. Shortly after, our partners with the Union for Reform Judaism came with us to Kenya to distribute more than 128,000 nets to refugees, helping to protect them from malaria for up to three years. As we reached the end of the year, we sought a way to meet our goal of sending nets to more than 1 million refugees in Africa. Hewlett Packard, a supporter of NBA Cares, helped us launch a promotion offering two free NBA tickets for every $10 donation for a bed net. Within days, thousands logged on to NothingButNets.net and sent the Net-O-Meter reeling. A $25,000 matching grant from Rick Reilly sent Nothing But Nets soaring past its goal of sending a net to help protect every refugee in Africa from malaria. CELEBRATING FIVE YEARS 19
Nothing But Nets covers more than 1 million refugees in 15 countries with nets
UN Ambassador Susan Rice encourages students to save lives on the National Day of Service
ABC’s hit show “Ugly Betty” features
Nothing But Nets on its season premiere
Nothing But Nets joins BoyNBN Scouts of America sample at text the launch of their of what 100-year celebration happened
year 3 a safety net
families receive Messages of Hope with bed nets
Refugee families in Ethiopia receive life-saving bed nets
29 cities
22
We traveled to across the country to raise awareness about malaria
the Nothing But Nets story
year 4: united against malaria In 2010, the buzz about malaria grew to a roar. Nothing But Nets teamed up with MLS W.O.R.K.S., including superstar Landon Donovan, and other organizations to “unite against malaria” before the 2010 World Cup—the first held in Africa, where 90 percent of malaria deaths occur. With support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the United Against Malaria partnership jumpstarted the Nothing But Nets “Buzz Tour” to help end malaria deaths in Africa. We hit the road in our blue and orange “Buzz Tour” bus and rolled into 29 cities across the country to raise awareness about malaria prevention and urge people to join the movement to end malaria. Working with our local partners, we met business leaders, city officials, faith leaders, students, athletes, and sports fans to spread the buzz. Along the way, we met Major League Soccer fans, visited classrooms, toured with “American Idol,” and recruited a team of supporters and Champions. On World Malaria Day April 25, 2010, thousands pitched tents, put up nets, and joined the first Sleep Out To End Malaria. Participants danced all night, held church lock-ins, and camped on the campus quad. Rock bands, celebrities, athletes, and film producers spread the buzz about malaria and raised money for Nothing But Nets. And nearly 25,000 of you signed letters to Congress asking them to support funding to prevent malaria.
Nothing But Nets hit the big screen in the documentary When the Night Comes. Director Bobby Bailey filmed his trip to Uganda, where he shared the stories of mothers, children, youth, and health workers affected by malaria. In 2010, the NBA was one of our MVPs in the fight against malaria. At NBA All-Star Weekend in Dallas, NBA Cares donated $10 for anyone who sunk a basket at the Nothing But Nets hoop. Students and superstars alike stopped by to take shots against malaria, making 2,500 life-saving shots. NBA stars fought malaria off the court, too. More than 20 athletes, coaches, and sports legends flew to Africa to distribute 20,000 bed nets to families in Senegal. We learned that when hanging nets from a high ceiling, it’s good to have NBA players on hand! By the end of 2010, Nothing But Nets engaged more than 150,000 supporters in our campaign.
CELEBRATING FIVE YEARS 23
year 4 united against malaria
Actress Mandy Moore
Families in Central
travels to Africa
African Republic receive
to raise awareness
837,000 life-saving nets
about malaria
Nothing But Nets brings the anti-malaria message to Capitol Hill with supporters and Champions
NBA stars and legends deliver nets in Senegal
Individuals and organizations across the country unite against malaria
Jci gets closer to its goal of sending 1 million nets
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Anyone can be a Champion in the fight against malaria
the Nothing But Nets story
year 5: champions In 2011, we saw how far we’ve come in just five years, and recognized the Champions who have helped us get here.
Nothing But Nets and the Roll Back Malaria partnership honored some of the Champions who are helping save lives and prevent malaria with an interactive exhibit at the United Nations that launched on World Malaria Day. Our partners at the ExxonMobil Foundation helped bring this exhibit to life, inspiring thousands. We also showcased all 24 Champions on NothingButNets.net, where we asked supporters to vote for their favorite stories and nominate a 25th Champion. Thousands voted for Naomi Kodama, inspired by her decision to ask her friends and family to send nets instead of giving her birthday presents. Naomi began this tradition on her 7th birthday, and continues to motivate kids around the world to get involved.
Nothing But Nets Champion, actress and singer/songwriter Mandy Moore joined us for a second trip to Africa to raise awareness about malaria. Mandy traveled with us to Cameroon to launch its first nationwide net distribution. Mandy said: “I’m meeting the people who need these nets to stay safe—from 2-year-olds to the prime minister.” Mandy then joined us on Capitol Hill to brief the Congressional Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases Caucus about the important role the United States plays in ending malaria deaths by 2015. Malaria took center stage in November as we celebrated our 5-year anniversary with our two new partners: Disney Theatrical and The Nederlander Organization. This partnership will spread the buzz on Broadway and at Nederlander Theatres across the country. When a humanitarian crisis put thousands in the Horn of Africa at risk of malaria, Oscar nominee Jonah Hill stepped up to the plate. He rallied to send 150,000 nets to Africa, and has raised more than $66,000 on Crowdrise.com. Grassroots supporters like you continued to prove that anyone can save a life. You donated nets and, for the first time, began to send advocacy cards urging your elected officials to fund malaria prevention efforts. Together, we wrote appeals to support refugees in Liberia, Cameroon, and the Horn of Africa. Nothing But Nets began with one man’s call to action; five years later, thousands of us are speaking up. CELEBRATING FIVE YEARS 27
Los Angeles youth join
Photo exhibit at the
the movement to
UN features Champions
end malaria deaths
of all kinds
Nothing But Nets supporters vote Naomi Kodama as the “25th Champion�
year 5 champions
Mozzie and mandy moore at the UN on World Malaria Day
Champions kick off World Malaria Day in Times Square
PARTNERS
30
United Methodist Committee on Relief
CELEBRATING FIVE YEARS 31
Rick Reilly
sports columnist Who knew my 800 -word Sports
Illustrated column five years ago would seed $40 million in
Nothing But Nets donations so far? You guys rock! Nothing But Thanks!
Lynda and Katherine Commale mother and daughter grassroots supporters
Katherine, now 11, was 5 when she learned about malaria and bed nets. We are thrilled and in awe of the incredible promise that the
Nothing But Nets campaign has brought to the fight against malaria.
Alexandra Taylor designer
One’s abilit y to make a difference in the world is as easy as making the choice to do so. It is that choice which ultimately fosters change and universal goodwill. I value the opportunit y to support this change, while raising awareness through my accessories collections.
Nate Stafford
Boy Scout who hiked 100 miles for Nothing But Nets Through my work with Nothing But
Nets I’ve experienced that together, a group of people truly can make a difference as we watch malaria mortalit y rates continue to drop.
Ray Chambers
UN Secretary- General’s Special Envoy for Malaria Under Ted Turner’s vision,
champions
the UN Foundation’s Nothing But Nets campaign has helped lead the UN’s effort to get nets out to end malaria deaths by 2015. Congratulations on five years of inspirational progress.
Ted Turner
Founder and Chairman, UN Foundation
Rear Adm. Tim Ziemer
U.S. Global Malaria Coordinator Congratulations Nothing But Nets on turning 5: because of you thousands of young children will celebrate their 5th birthday!
Ban Ki-moon
Secretary- General, United Nations
ADVOCACY Why We Advocate Anyone can send a net to save a life—including policymakers in Washington. Our government can cast a wide net to wipe out malaria, but it’s up to us to tell them to do it. When you join Nothing But Nets, you can do more than send a net. You can ask your government to invest in life-saving programs that fight malaria. Already, thousands of you have petitioned our government to fund malaria prevention. Now, we’re spreading the buzz in new ways, like bringing the Nothing But Nets messages to Capitol Hill. Advocacy Goals Our goal is always the same: to save lives by preventing malaria. We’re asking Congress and the President to support funding for government efforts to combat malaria, like the President’s Malaria Initiative and The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Advocacy Impact Nothing But Nets wants you to bring the buzz about malaria straight to Congress. Tell your elected officials that you care about ending malaria. Tell them how simple it is to save lives from this preventable disease. Ask them to share our goal of ending malaria deaths by 2015. In 2011, the Nothing But Nets team and our grassroots supporters: • • • • •
Sent advocacy cards to members of Congress, Collected signatures on a petition asking Congress to prioritize malaria prevention and treatment programs, Briefed the Congressional Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases Caucus with singer and actress Mandy Moore, Took congressional staff to Cameroon and Ethiopia to show them the NET impact of Nothing But Nets, the United Nations, and the U.S. Government in the field, and Met with key policymakers to educate them about the importance of malaria prevention and treatment programs.
Advocacy Plans Our advocacy efforts made an impact last year, but we’re just getting started. We plan to expand our advocacy work so more of you buzz your members of Congress with letters, meetings, and phone calls. We will continue to host events on Capitol Hill to raise awareness among policymakers about the work we do and how constituents like you are involved in this fight.
34
let ter
FROM OUR DIRECTOR
I still remember the night I read the Sports Illustrated column by Rick Reilly that inspired the UN Foundation to create its Nothing But Nets campaign. I donated immediately, and like most of you, continued to support Nothing But Nets over the years. Five years later, a lot has changed. I’m still a passionate supporter of the campaign, but I’m also fortunate enough to be the Director of Nothing But Nets. The biggest change, however, is the progress we’ve made towards eliminating malaria deaths in Africa. With your support, Nothing But Nets has helped cut malaria deaths by about a third by raising money for life-saving nets. Five years ago, a child died every 30 seconds from malaria, and now that rate is up to 60 seconds. Yet we know that no child should die from a disease that’s both preventable and treatable. As a father of two young boys, it’s devastating to think that once every minute, a parent in Africa loses their child because there wasn’t a net to sleep under. There’s still a lot of work ahead of us, but Nothing But Nets is committed to helping us become the generation to end malaria deaths. In 2012 and beyond, Nothing But Nets will focus on two things: sending nets, and advocating for U.S. support of malaria prevention and treatment. Part of what makes Nothing But Nets special is its spirit of fun, powered by grassroots supporters like you. As a friend to Nothing But Nets, you know the value of sending nets and saving lives. This incredible campaign, which has delivered more than 6 million bed nets to Africa since 2006, is only possible because of people like you. There’s nothing you can do with $10 that’s more important than saving a child’s life. I hope you will continue to send nets and save lives, and use your voice to become an advocate. Thank you for your help and I look forward to working together. Chris Helfrich Director, Nothing But Nets
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The United Nations Foundation, a public charity, was created in 1998 with entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner’s historic $1 billion gift to support UN causes and activities. The UN Foundation builds and implements public/private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and works to broaden support for the UN through advocacy and public outreach. Through its campaigns and partnerships, the UN Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The campaigns the UN Foundation conducts reduce child mortality, empower women and girls, create a new energy future, secure peace and human rights, and promote technology innovation to improve health outcomes. www.unfoundation.org PHOTO CREDITS Photo Credits. List going from top to bottom, left to right. Front cover: Stuart Ramson/Insider Images; Inside cover: Daniel Cima; Pages 2-9: Talia Frenkel; Pages 10-11: Mike Dubose/UMC; Page 12 #1, 3, 5 Nothing But Nets/UN Foundation, #2 Mike Dubose/UMC; Page 13 #1-2, 4: Mike Dubose/UMC; Pages 14-15: Vestergaard Frandsen; Page 16 #1-5: Nothing But Nets/UN Foundation; Page 17 #1: New York Stock Exchange, #2-4: Nothing But Nets/UN Foundation; Pages 18-19:
Nothing But Nets/UN Foundation; Page 20 #1-3, 5: Nothing But Nets/UN Foundation; Page 21 #1, 3: Nothing But Nets/UN Foundation, #4: David Evans; Pages 22-23: Nothing But Nets/UN Foundation; Page 24 #1, 3-5: Nothing But Nets/UN Foundation, #2: Indrani; Page 25 #1-2, 4: Nothing But Nets/UN Foundation, #3: Indrani, #5 Junior Chamber International; Pages 26-27: Stuart Ramson/Insider Images; Page 28 #1-3: Stuart Ramson/Insider Images, #3-4: Nothing But Nets/UN Foundation; Page 29 #1: Indrani, #2: Stuart Ramson/Insider Images, #3-4
Nothing But Nets/UN Foundation; Pages 32-33: Platon; Page 34: Nothing But Nets/UN Foundation; Page 36: Copyright Michael Muller; Back cover: Daniel Cima.
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C e le brati n g Fi v e Years
18 0 0 M a s s a c h u s e t t s A v e . S u i t e 4 0 0 N W Wa s h i n g t o n D C 2 0 0 3 6 ( 2 0 2 ) 8 8 7 - 9 0 4 0