WASHINGTON — The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has saved 27 million lives in its 16 years of operation. That’s the headline from a new report that shows the effectiveness of the Global Fund and the danger of complacency in the fight against preventable diseases. World leaders will gather in Lyon, France, in October 2019 to replenish the Fund through 2022. The ONE Campaign, the global policy and advocacy organization co-founded by U2 lead singer, Bono, issued the following reaction to the new report.

Jenny Ottenhoff, director of global health policy at The ONE Campaign, said:

“Smart, effective investments by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria have saved 27 million lives, and given hope to tens of millions more. The Global Fund is the world’s largest international funder for treatment and prevention for TB and malaria, and the second-largest international funder of treatment and prevention for HIV/AIDS, the Global Fund is one of the most innovative, accountable, and efficient health organizations on the planet. This report affirms the Fund’s unique value to the world’s health and the importance of its successful replenishment in France next year.

“Our progress against the AIDS epidemic, in particular, is both remarkable and fragile. Incredible results in the fight against HIV/AIDS has created a false sense of security about an epidemic that still claims more than 2,500 lives every day. The fact is: AIDS is still a crisis, and we need the Global Fund now more than ever.

“Secretary Pompeo should ensure that the administration’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2020 is consistent with President Trump’s campaign commitment to support the Global Fund and at least maintains the United States’ current level of investments in the Fund. The United States currently contributes $1 for every $2 contributed by other governments, foundations, and the private sector. This steadfast commitment has been leveraged to incentivize billions of dollars in investments from others. Requesting full funding for the Global Fund in the President’s budget will send a strong signal and ensure that other countries do their share.”

In 2017, countries and regions where the Global Fund invests achieved the following major results:

• 17.5 million people received antiretroviral therapy for HIV.
• 5 million people tested and treated for TB.
• 197 million mosquito nets distributed to prevent malaria.

The ONE Campaign is a non-partisan policy and advocacy organization of more than 9 million people around the world taking action to end extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa.