New Video: The Central Role of Health Systems in Pandemic Preparedness

Learn how the different elements of a health system can prepare communities to fight pandemics of today and tomorrow by watching our new video: Putting Out Fires: How Health Systems Can Fight Pandemics. 

• We must invest in robust, resilient, people-centered systems to respond effectively to the next pandemic.

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• Investing in the fight against HIV, TB and malaria is part of building the foundation for stronger health systems that provide services now, while preparing for future disease threats.

• COVID showed us that trust is critical to fighting pandemics. One of the best ways to build community trust is to deliver on the health needs of today.

World Malaria Day 2023

On World Malaria Day, U.S. and international leaders came together in D.C. to discuss the successes and challenges in the fight against one of the world's oldest and deadliest diseases.

Thanks to bipartisan congressional champions including Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) (bottom left) and Sen. John Boozman (R-AK) (top right), U.S. leadership continues to be critical in the fight to end malaria.

• Read Global Fund Executive Director Peter Sands' op-ed in Forbes on the challenges to ending malaria.

• U.S. Global Malaria Coordinator Dr. David Walton (bottom right) announced that the President's Malaria Initiative would expand its programming from 27 to 30 countries.

• Read President Biden's statement on World Malaria Day.

Friends Welcomes Recommitment to Ending HIV, TB and Malaria in G7 Leaders' and Health Ministers' Communique (Statement)

This month, G7 Leaders' and G7 Health Ministers' Communique reaffirmed the global commitment to ending HIV, TB and malaria as epidemics, finding synergies between disease-focused efforts and pandemic preparedness. 

• “Thank you to the Biden administration for its leadership and unflagging efforts to ensure global health is a priority at the G7.” President & CEO Chris Collins

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Hearing on PEPFAR at 20 (SFRC)

Ambassador John Nkengasong of PEPFAR, Friends board member and former head of the Global Fund Dr. Mark Dybul and Sir Elton John testified this month at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for the need to reauthorize PEPFAR.

• "I would like to thank the Committee for its support of [the Global Fund]. With the 33 percent cap on contributions from the U.S., it is a potent means to help ensure the American taxpayer is not alone in combatting HIV." – Dr. Mark Dybul

• Bipartisan support for PEPFAR remains strong in the U.S. Senate. Read Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman, and Sen. Jim Risch's (R-ID), Ranking Member, opening remarks from the hearing.

House Testimony by President & CEO Chris Collins in Support of the Global Fund's

Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations

In a statement to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, President & CEO Chris Collins urged the committee to continue its support for a robust investment in the Global Fund in fiscal year 2024.

• "There are few investments with such clear and justified returns to the American public, to marginalized people around the globe, and to a safer, more prosperous world."

"PEPFAR is a shining example of US global leadership and true bipartisanship... continued focus and resources on HIV and AIDS will allow us to finish the job we started 20 years ago."

– Global AIDS Policy Partnership co-chairs, Shannon Kellman (Friends), Suraj Madoori (AVAC) and Katie Coester (EGPAF) emphasized PEPFAR's history of bipartisan support in a new op-ed.

Friends Comments at Pandemic Preparedness and Response and UHC HLM

Multistakeholder Meetings

"We can’t trade current pandemics for future threats. We can’t abandon a critical, unfinished global health target for a shiny new one. We need to create an integrated approach to strengthening health services today in a way that makes all of us safer for the future, with implementing countries in the lead."

– President & CEO Chris Collins submitted these comments as part of the multi-stakeholder listening session.

• Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) on Ending AIDS by 2030 (Politico)

• Chief Policy Officer Mark P. Lagon: The US and Japan as G7 Champions of Health and Democracy (The Diplomat)

• Mitigating Mozambique's Humanitarian Nightmare (Project Syndicate)

• Malaria spike in Pakistan and Mozambique due to climate change (BBC News)