WASHINGTON — The ONE Campaign enthusiastically welcomed the Senate Appropriations Committee’s markup of the FY20 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs bill, which maintains the United States’ historic one-third commitment — $1.56 billion — to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, and protects many of the life-saving development accounts that President Trump sought to cut in his FY20 proposed budget. Earlier this year, the House of Representatives passed a spending bill that also included $1.56 billion for the Global Fund.

Tom Hart, North America executive director at The ONE Campaign:

“This bill sends a clear message to the world: America’s commitment to defeating AIDS, TB and malaria remains steadfast.

“Despite the White House’s repeated attempts to cut global health programs, Republicans and Democrats in Congress continue to prioritize smart investments like the Global Fund, which together with full funding from other donors, will help save up to 16 million more lives by 2023.

“ONE applauds Chairman Richard Shelby and Ranking Member Patrick Leahy, as well as Subcommittee Chairman Lindsey Graham, for their continued support of life-saving global health programs. ONE looks forward to the United States pledging $1.56 billion at the Global Fund’s replenishment conference next month, which will be used to save millions of lives and incentivize billions of dollars in investments from other donors.”

Background on Global Health Programs: 

This October, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, one of the most effective global health organizations on the planet, will hold its 2019 replenishment in Lyon, France.

Traditionally, the United States has contributed $1 to the Global Fund for every $2 contributed by other donors, and that steadfast commitment has incentivized billions of dollars in investments from others that would not have otherwise been made. In order to meet its replenishment goals, the United States must commit to providing $1.56 billion in funding for FY20. President Trump’s budget diluted this historic position by calling for a 1:3 match (funding at $1.1 billion), which would undermine the replenishment goal, weaken pressure on other donors, and limit the Fund’s life-saving work.

Moreover, President Trump’s budget included a 22% cut for PEPFAR. These massive cuts to global AIDS programs came just weeks after President Trump announced at the State of the Union that we would “defeat AIDS in America and beyond.” 

For more information, or to speak with an expert about the Global Fund, contact Sean Simons at [email protected].

ONE is a global movement campaigning to end extreme poverty and preventable disease by 2030, so that everyone, everywhere can lead a life of dignity and opportunity. We are non-partisan and pressure governments to do more to fight extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa, and empower citizens to hold their governments to account. Read more at www.one.org.

 

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