AEGiS-IFRC: Too much talk and not enough action as G8 fails to deliver on AIDS, say activists

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Too much talk and not enough action as G8 fails to deliver on AIDS, say activists

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Cresent Societies - Geneva, 5 June 2003

Geneva, June 5 - A contribution of only 150 million Euros (US$175 million) to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria made at the G8 summit in Evian, is not only a huge disappointment but also a continued failure of rich countries to deliver on promises made, say AIDS activists.

"We welcome the decision by the French government to increase its support to the Global Fund but it is far from enough. What was needed from Evian was not just more talking about AIDS, but for all leaders to put money where their mouths were," said Stuart Flavell of the Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (GNP+). The organisation is also a member of Fund the Fund, a group comprising 20 organisations committed to helping increase donations to the Global Fund.

There is also concern over a U.S. government initiative to provide US$10 billion of new funds over five years for HIV/AIDS that Fund the Fund says is misleading. "The United States only budgets from year to year, so five-year projections are pure fiction," stated Paul Davis, of the NGO Health GAP. "In addition, the initiative targets only $200 million for the Global Fund for 2004, $150 million less than for 2003. The United States will pay almost nothing unless other donor countries contribute significant new sums."

The Global Fund, founded with much fanfare at the 2001 G8 summit in Genoa, is facing bankruptcy in less than two years. Last year, it approved US$ 1.5 billion for effective, life-saving projects in 85 countries spread over several years. However, as the Global Fund board meets in Geneva this week in the aftermath of the G8 summit, it faces the grim reality of being unable to fund a further round of US$1.4 billion programme proposals this year.

Demand for Global Fund monies has already far outstripped supply. Even if commitments to the Fund were fulfilled and US$1.4 billion dollars were found before the end of this year, Fund the Fund says it is still painfully short of the nearly US$ 5 billion needed to fight HIV/AIDS this year alone in the poorest countries.

"There is tremendous hope, expectation and belief among the global community that the Global Fund is the best and only vehicle currently operating to make a difference in fighting AIDS. Global Fund grants are already helping millions of people on the AIDS, TB and malaria frontline. It would be a crime to betray the sick now," said Dr. H l ne Rossert, Global Fund board member for northern non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

"We now have to hope that President Chirac's confidence in Evian that the EU will raise its contributions to the Fund to one billion dollars will be realised at the EU summit in Greece," she added.

For further information or interviews, please contact:

Jemini Pandya, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Tel: +41 22 730 4570/ + 41 79 217 3374

Paul Davis, Health GAP Tel: +1 215 833 410
030605
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