The Global Fund Saves Lives
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is the single most powerful tool in the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, diseases that together are responsible for some six million deaths each year. Through Global Fund-financed programs in 140 countries around the world, 4.9 million people who otherwise would have died of AIDS, tuberculosis or malaria over the past five years are alive. These lives saved – like Tigst, Geeta and Elena – are a direct result of the U.S. government's leadership in investing in the Global Fund.The Global Fund is an effective investment not just in global health but also foreign policy, and it should be a cornerstone in the President's Global Health Initiative. For every $1 the U.S. government contributes, the Global Fund leverages at least $2 from other international donors, ensuring that U.S. tax dollars have a compounding effect around the world.
To help continue this progress in fighting AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, the Global Fund requests $5.25 billion next year. This money will be used to support ongoing life-saving grants already approved by the Global Fund Board of Directors and new grants anticipated in the Global Fund’s next round of funding. Specifically from the U.S. government, the Global Fund is requesting a contribution of $1.75 billion in fiscal year 2011 to meet this demand.
The Global Fund has approved more than $18 billion in financing for 140 countries around the world. In all of these countries, the Global Fund operates with transparency and accountability, making it a sound and responsible global health investment.
As of December 2009, Global Fund-supported programs have:
- provided 2.5 million people with HIV/AIDS treatment;
- distributed 104 million insecticide-treated nets;
- provided tuberculosis treatment to 6 million people;
- supplied 4.5 million AIDS orphans with basic care and support;
- provided 790,000 HIV-positive pregnant women with doses of medication to prevent mother-to-child transmission; and
- trained 11.3 million health or community workers to deliver services.
Perhaps most importantly, each of these statistics is linked to people like Awetash and her daughter Tigst, to Geeta and her family, to Elena and her community, and to millions like them, all positively impacted by the Global Fund’s work.
For stories of more lives saved, please visit the Global Fund's Saving Lives site.
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Photo Credits (in order of appearance): Nepal, courtesy of the Global Fund/John Rae | Ethiopia, courtesy of the Global Fund/Guy Stubbs | Peru, courtesy of the Global Fund/John Rae
© 2009 Friends of the Global Fight. All Rights Reserved.