ONE Statement Regarding the President’s FY 2013 Budget

Washington, D.C. – Michael Elliott, President and CEO of The ONE Campaign, issued the following statement regarding the President’s proposed budget for 2013:

“Faced with difficult decisions within a budget that isn’t growing, we are pleased with how President Obama has prioritized funding for effective programs like The Global Fund, Feed the Future, and the GAVI Alliance. We commend the President for his request to address critical health and development needs in the poorest parts of the world.

“ONE appreciates that the Obama administration shares in our belief that these programs are achieving tangible results – fighting HIV/AIDS, protecting children through the use of basic childhood vaccinations, and providing farmers with the skills and resources to help feed their families, support their communities and prevent the occurrence of future food crises.

“We do have concerns about cuts to other health and humanitarian efforts, including effective bilateral programs like PEPFAR, and look forward to learning how, in the face of these cuts, the Administration plans to meet the bold commitments that the President made on World AIDS Day last December, including increasing the number of people on AIDS treatment by fifty percent.

“On the whole, however, we are encouraged by President Obama’s FY 2013 budget, as it highlights the Administration’s commitment to a multifaceted national security program that expands upon and fulfills commitments to lifesaving programs while increasing stability and wellbeing across the developing world.”

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