As new resources for the AIDS response are declining, the support of the Gates Foundation will help restore confidence in meeting global AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria targets
GENEVA, 26 January 2012—UNAIDS welcomes the grant of US$ 750 million by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
“At this crucial time, when lives are being lost for lack of resources to provide treatment to people living with HIV, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has restored hope to people living with and at risk of HIV,” said Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director. “This financial pledge—together with the Foundation’s unwavering commitment to innovation, research and HIV prevention—will make a difference today and tomorrow.”
World leaders agreed to pledge between US$ 22-24 billion each year by 2015 at the United Nations High Level meeting on AIDS in June 2011. However the resources available today are far less than the total need. In 2010 US$ 15.3 billion was available for the AIDS response in low- and middle-income countries.
The majority of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa—the region most affected by AIDS—depend on international aid to provide antiretroviral treatment for people living with HIV. Countries faced a major setback with the recent cancellation of Round 11 grants by the Global Fund. The immediate injection of new resources will help countries ensure that there no interruptions to on-going programmes as they continue to scale up lifesaving programmes.
