November 10, 2020
Friends applauds Senate Appropriations Committee for maintaining U.S. contribution to the Global Fund
Washington, DC – Today the Senate Appropriations Committee posted its fiscal year 2021 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) funding bill, sustaining $1.56 billion for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (The Global Fund).
“Thank you Senator Graham and Senator Leahy, and the entire Senate Appropriations Committee, for your unwavering leadership and commitment to ending the deadly AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria epidemics,” said Chris Collins, President and CEO, Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Friends). “A strong U.S. investment in the Global Fund is needed today more than ever, as COVID-19 continues to disrupt HIV, TB and malaria services around the world and put at risk over a decade of progress on these diseases. We cannot be confident in our ability to address COVID-19 and future pandemics if we do not commit to finishing the job on the longstanding pandemics that kill millions annually—AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria.”
Since it was founded in 2002, the Global Fund partnership has saved over 38 million lives, including 6 million in 2019 alone—a 20 percent increase compared to 2018. However, a recent report from the Global Fund warns that due to COVID-19, results for 2020 could be in stark contrast to the achievements of 2019. The report noted a 50 percent decrease in the volume of HIV testing in some locations and an up to 75 percent decline in new TB case notifications in some locations.
In July, the House Appropriations Committee also included $1.56 billion in funding for the Global Fund in its fiscal year 2021 SFOPS funding bill that was passed by the House.
“I applaud the Senate and House Appropriations Committees for maintaining a strong U.S. investment in the Global Fund and urge Congress to pass this funding bill,” said Dr. Jeffrey L. Sturchio, Friends’ Board Chair and CEO at Rabin Martin, a global health strategy consulting firm. “If enacted, the $1.56 billion U.S. investment would have a huge impact, including buying more than 82 million mosquito nets to protect children and families from contracting malaria, lifesaving antiviral HIV treatment for nearly 3 million people and TB care and treatment for more than 2 million people.”
In 2019, the world pledged $14 billion for the Global Fund’s hugely successful sixth Replenishment – an unprecedented 15 percent increase over the previous fundraising cycle. Maintaining a $1.56 billion appropriation for fiscal year 2021 would equal a $4.68 billion U.S. contribution over the three-year Replenishment cycle, consistent with the expected U.S. share of the overall $14 billion Replenishment goal.
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ABOUT FRIENDS OF THE GLOBAL FIGHT AGAINST AIDS, TUBERCULOSIS AND MALARIA:
Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria advocates for U.S. support of the Global Fund, and the goal to end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. For more information about Friends of the Global Fight, visit www.theglobalfight.org.
For more about how reinvigorated U.S. global health leadership will contribute to a safer and more equitable world, read our new presidential transition document here.
ABOUT THE GLOBAL FUND:
The Global Fund is a partnership designed to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics. As an international organization, the Global Fund mobilizes and invests more than US$4 billion a year to support programs run by local experts in more than 100 countries. In partnership with governments, civil society, technical agencies, the private sector, faith-based organizations and people affected by the diseases, we are challenging barriers and embracing innovation. Learn more at https://www.theglobalfund.org/en/overview.
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Samantha Majerus