June 2007: $1 billion for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and MalariaIn Brief: The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria recently released (May 22) its latest progress numbers, and the results of the Global Fund’s work are impressive:
These successes are inspiring, but much more work must be done if the world is to achieve Millennium Development Goal (MDG) #6 and halt and reverse the spread of AIDS, TB, and malaria. The Global Fund is a critical and central component of mechanisms necessary to fulfill the world’s promise to reverse these epidemics by 2015. To achieve these goals, the Global Fund estimates that it will need an estimated $6–8 billion annually by 2010. The U.S. fair share, one-third, of the Global Fund’s projected 2008 need is $1.3 billion. These funds would help ensure that the Global Fund can continue to save lives in a cost-efficient and effective manner, as well as help leverage increased contributions from other donor countries. Congress must ensure that the Appropriations Committee provides no less than $1.3 billion from all sources for the Global Fund for Fiscal Year 2008 (FY08). $1 billion of this money should be included in the Foreign Operations (foreign aid) spending bill; the additional $300 million should be included in the Labor Health and Human Services spending bill, as requested by the president in his budget. Please write to your representative or senators and ask them to contact the House or Senate Foreign Operations Subcommittee Chair and ranking member (House Chair Nita Lowey (D-NY) and ranking member Frank Wolf (R-VA); Senate Chair Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and ranking member Judd Gregg (R-NH)), and ask them to provide $1 billion for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria within their 2008 foreign aid spending bill. Sample Letter
The Global Fund’s Work to Save LivesThe Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria works to halt and reverse the spread of these three killer diseases, which together cause the deaths of over six million people a year. The Global Fund was established in 2002 as an innovative, independent public-private partnership to rapidly scale-up global health funding. The Global Fund has committed $7.6 billion and disbursed 450 grants in 136 countries. This infusion of resources has made an incredible impact in tackling these diseases of poverty: the Global Fund contributes two-thirds of all donor TB funding and 21% of all donor AIDS funding, directing this money rapidly to effective prevention and treatment programs in countries with the greatest need. In just 5 years, the Global Fund has committed $7.6 billion to fund programs in 136 countries and achieved the following:
Source: http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/media_center/press/pr_070522.asp Why is the Global Fund Important for the U.S.?The Global Fund is a crucial partner for U.S. bilateral global health programs, including the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). U.S. contributions to the Global Fund are effectively and efficiently used. Moreover, U.S. contributions are leveraged to increase donations from other countries. So far, every dollar the U.S. has donated to the Global Fund has been matched and doubled by other donors. It is crucial that the U.S. help continue this remarkably successful work and provide its one-third fair share for the Global Fund for 2008: $1.3 billion. How Much Money Does the Global Fund Need?To meet the Millennium Development Goal of halting and reversing the tide of these diseases of poverty, the Board of the Global Fund recently announced that the Global Fund needs to see annual contributions reach at least $6 billion and ideally $8 billion per year by 2010 — a quadrupling of current funding. This money is urgently needed to continue and expand funding of HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria programs in poor countries. The Global Fund expects that there will be an increases in pledges by donor countries, including a number of new donors, at a planned “replenishment” conference in Berlin in September. However, the Global Fund still relies on the G8 countries to contribute the majority of donor funds (currently at 80 percent). The U.S. contribution is an important benchmark for other countries at this replenishment conference: Action by Congress to increase in U.S. funds for 2008 will leverage an increase from other donors. What Should the U.S. Congress Do?Soon, Congress will begin negotiations on spending for 2008. It is crucial that members of the House and Senate weigh in with the key decision makers to ensure that the U.S. fully funds the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria at $1.3 billion this year (with $1 billion provided in the Foreign Operations — or foreign aid spending — bill and $300 million provided in the Labor Health and Human Services spending bill). |