Today, [Friday, 11 January], The Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria announced it is seeking $14 billion to continue its life-saving work for the next three years. If it meets this goal, the Fund could help save 16 million lives between 2021-2023.

“We’re at a dangerous point in the journey to end AIDS, TB and malaria. Complacency is setting in. Some people think these diseases are in the rear-view mirror, but not the 7,000 people who will die from them today, or their families.” said Bono, lead singer of U2 and co-founder of The ONE Campaign and (RED).

“The Global Fund is the best shot we have at making sure HIV is not a death sentence, they can stop literally millions of people dying preventable deaths if they get the funds they need. Merci, President Macron, for hosting the international funding conference and making global health one of your priorities for the 2019 G7. Now we need donors and business leaders to show us their ambition and get the job done.”

The Global Fund aims to raise this amount by its replenishment conference, which will take place in Lyon, France in October this year. The target was announced as part of the Fund’s Case for Investment, which sets out the number of lives that could be saved in the next three years, and the amount of money needed to do so.

Gayle Smith, CEO and President of The ONE Campaign, said: “Today alone, nearly a thousand young women will contract HIV. Neither we nor the millions of women and girls at risk can afford to be complacent in this fight against destructive diseases. Leaders from all over the world, from governments and opposition, have joined forces over the last 15 years to score victories in the fight against this epidemic – we know what to do, but we need to do more and do it now.

“As one of the most effective organizations in fighting AIDS, TB and malaria, it is crucial that the Global Fund gets the money it needs. This is an emergency now – if we don’t move faster than these diseases, then they win. Complacency today equals complicity tomorrow.

“To date, the Global Fund has helped save 27 million lives around the world, but will only be able to continue this critical work if it is fully funded.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• As the Global Fund makes clear in its Case for Investment, even with full funding and significant increases in domestic funding there is still a gap in the financing needed to beat AIDS, TB and malaria by 2030. More investment is needed.
• ABOUT THE GLOBAL FUND – The Global Fund is a 21st-century partnership organization designed to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics. Founded in 2002, the Global Fund is a partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and people affected by the diseases. It raises and invests nearly US$4 billion a year to support programs run by local experts in countries and communities most in need. Millions of lives have already been saved and prevention, treatment and care services have been provided to hundreds of millions of people, helping to revitalize entire communities, strengthen local health systems and improve economies. https://www.theglobalfund.org/en/
• For more information about The ONE Campaign, visit one.org