President's FY14 Budget Reaffirms Commitment to Global Fund

Paves the Way for Historic Three-Year, $5 Billion U.S. Pledge

WASHINGTON, April 10, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In his Fiscal Year 2014 Budget released today, President Obama's request for $1.65 billion for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and increased funding for U.S. bilateral health programs will help push the world closer to reining in these three killer diseases. The request further cements the U.S. health leadership role, coming several months prior to the Global Fund's 2013 Replenishment meeting, a time when donors will make public pledges to support the Global Fund — the world's largest health financier — for the next three years.

"Given the difficult budget climate, I'm thrilled to see President Obama prioritizing the Global Fund and its partners who are saving lives every day," said Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund. "This Budget reinforces the longstanding bipartisan tradition of support for a healthier world."

Meeting the President's request and maintaining a similar funding level moving forward would put the United States on track to contributing $5 billion to the Global Fund over three years — an investment that would be tripled by the Global Fund, as every dollar contributed by the United States is matched by an additional $2 from other donors. The President's request sends a strong signal to the international community, encouraging other donors to come forward with similarly robust support.

"Today's request paves the way for a record-breaking three-year, $5 billion U.S. pledge to the Global Fund," said Deborah Derrick, President of Friends of the Global Fight. "I hope to see this remarkable opportunity realized at the Replenishment, and I eagerly anticipate the generosity of other international donors."

Over the last decade, partnership between the Global Fund and U.S. bilateral programs, including the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI), has been central to unprecedented health gains. Today HIV transmission rates are falling across most regions of the world, malaria cases have been cut in half, and the tuberculosis mortality rate has declined.

"Robust funding for both bilateral and multilateral programs is essential to containing these diseases in the years to come," said Derrick, praising the Administration for requesting increased health funding for both USAID and the Department of State. "The Global Fund and U.S. bilateral programs depend on each other for mutual success. And the world depends on both to help save lives."

Recent scientific advances now position the world to accelerate the rollback of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. However, waiting to act could risk the diseases becoming deadlier — and far costlier to treat — with growing drug resistance and potential rebound of infection rates.

"This investment will help the Global Fund and its partners seize the extraordinary window of opportunity before us," said Dybul. "With continued U.S. support, health workers can ensure more babies are born HIV-free, more families are guarded against malaria, and more people with tuberculosis are tested, treated, and cured."

FRIENDS OF THE GLOBAL FIGHT AGAINST AIDS, TUBERCULOSIS AND MALARIA
Friends of the Global Fight works to end the worldwide burden of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. We educate, engage and mobilize U.S. decision makers to support the Global Fund, the world's largest public health financier. For more information about Friends of the Global Fight, visit www.TheGlobalFight.org.

SOURCE Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

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