Don't Follow 'Devastating' UK Stand On Fund, Donors Urged

ActionAid UK

Civil society calls new UK Global Fund pledge 'a pittance'

(BERLIN) On the eve of a replenishment meeting of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, civil society warned other G8 donors not to follow the poor example set by the UK, who today announced their contribution to the Global Fund-an 8-year pledge of USD 2 billion. When divided evenly by year, the UK pledge would only amount to 25% more than the UK's current funding level.

In order to keep their promises, the UK should have tripled their pledge to the Global Fund-instead they have apparently increased their current annual contribution level by only a quarter. Campaigners were calling for US$1,423 million from the UK over the next three years. The UK pledge will amount to only half of what is needed from the UK by 2010.

"This is devastating news for the 16,000 people who die of AIDS, TB and Malaria every single day. The Global Fund has saved many lives in my country and across the world. How can rich countries turn their back on the millions more who urgently need life saving treatment?" Anandi Yuvaraj, former Board member of the Global Fund and AIDS activist in India.

"We urgently needed donors to triple their contributions but the UK has started the bidding by offering a pittance." Asia Russell, Global Fund Board member representing developed country NGOs.

Key donors to the Global Fund including the G8 countries, were set to make their pledges on Thursday at the Berlin replenishment conference, hosted by the German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"Campaigners will be stepping up their efforts to ensure other donors step up to the mark and make pledges commensurate with the real need" said Russell.

Just four months ago, Germany also hosted the G8 Summit where rich country leaders pledged to replenish the Fund and provide "long-term predictable funding based on ambitious, but realistic demand-driven targets".

The Berlin Replenishment is the first real test of the commitments to respond to AIDS, TB and malaria made by the G8. Civil society groups around the world are calling on donors to pledge $18 billion for 2008-10 to the Global Fund in order to help meet internationally agreed targets such as the 2015 Millennium Development Goals and 2010 Universal Access goal.

As the Global Fund accounts for two thirds of the money spent on TB and Malaria and over a fifth of money spent on HIV/AIDS, scaling up the size of the Fund is critical to meeting these goals.

Meeting the $18 billion target requires top donors to the Fund to triple or quadruple their contributions. However there is little evidence that G8 countries are prepared to back their commitments with significant and adequate long-term pledges.

While the US and Japan may not announce specific pledges at the Replenishment Conference, other donors including Germany, France, Canada and Italy are all expected to make announcements.