Statement on Absence of Support for the Global Fund in Senate COVID-19 Supplemental

Statement on Absence of Support for the Global Fund in Senate COVID-19 Supplemental

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Statement from Chris Collins, President and CEO of Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, on the absence of support for the Global Fund in the Senate COVID-19 Supplemental:

“America will never be safe from COVID-19 if the pandemic rages overseas, yet the Senate bill provides very limited funding for the global response, and zero funding for the Global Fund.  If the final supplemental bill takes a similar approach there would be tragic consequences.  

The Global Fund has an indispensable role to play in the global COVID-19 response.  It works in over 100 countries and is already helping countries respond to COVID-19 by mitigating the damage to AIDS, TB and malaria programming.  It is uniquely positioned to help communities protect frontline health care workers with personal protective equipment, make diagnostics and treatments available and help shore up health systems.  Funding is needed urgently for these services, but Global Fund resources available for the COVID-19 response will be fully depleted in a matter of weeks.

Right now, the Global Fund needs $4 billion over two years in US investment for its COVID-19 Response Mechanism.  As negotiations begin between the House and Senate, Congress must make robust international funding a priority consistent with the US Global Leadership Coalition request of $20 billion, including $4 billion for the Global Fund.  Millions of lives depend on it.

Every day we hear increasingly worrisome reports about the growing impact of COVID-19 in Africa and elsewhere and clear evidence of service disruptions to AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria programming.   Without decisive action, it is estimated COVID-19 could lead to mortality from AIDS, TB and malaria nearly doubling and erase a decade or more progress on these diseases.”

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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.

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.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Rachel Irwin

(202) 912-3822

[email protected]