Today (29/4/20), The UK Government announced it will pledge funding to support Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. This money will help protect over 300 million children from killer diseases through vaccination and contribute to saving more than 7 million lives over the next five years.

As the world responds to the Coronavirus emergency, anti-poverty organisation The ONE Campaign welcomed the announcement, applauding this British boost for global health that benefits everyone.

Speaking in response to the pledge, Romilly Greenhill, UK Director of ONE, said: “The current Coronavirus pandemic provides a stark reminder of how diseases do not respect borders, so this bold pledge shows the UK Government showing real leadership strengthening global health.

“This move will protect everyone’s health, whether they are across the sea or across the street. These past weeks have shown how all countries’ health is connected. Diseases do not respect borders, and while a threat still exists, none of us are safe until all of us are safe.

“This investment in Gavi means we can help avoid millions of preventable child deaths, a stated aim of the Government, and shows that we can help to lead the global charge against the current pandemic and reduce the threat of future health emergencies.”

Notes to editors are available by request