for Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria
March 15, 2005
As organizations committed to the fight against AIDS, we are writing to urge you to support the Santorum-Durbin amendment to the FY2006 Budget Resolution calling for $800 million for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, and affirming the principle that the US should provide one-third of the Global Fund's income. In 2006, the Global Fund needs $2.4 billion to sustain its existing, effective programs, which have already saved millions of lives around the world. This amendment will cover one-third of that cost, pending matching contributions from other donors on a two-to-one basis. By approving this amendment, Congress will send a strong challenge to other donors in Europe and elsewhere to increase their contributions to the Global Fund.
With grants to 127 countries and 44 percent of funds targeting tuberculosis and malaria, the Global Fund extends and complements bilateral investment in fighting AIDS, including the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief's (PEPFAR) special focus in 15 highly affected countries. The Global Fund also offers a unique opportunity to leverage additional dollars from international donors. Over the past three years, U.S. contributions have enabled Global Fund programs to provide AIDS treatment to 130,000 people, treated nearly 400,000 people for TB, and distributed more than 1.3 million bed nets to protect families from malaria.
The Santorum-Durbin amendment will seek a total of $3.7 billion for the fight against global AIDS, TB, malaria and research in the FY2006 budget. This would include $800 million for the Global Fund and full support for the President's request of $2.9 billion for the bilateral programs of PEPFAR. This unprecedented action by Senators Santorum and Durbin reaffirms that the fight against AIDS, TB and malaria is a unifying force and reflects the best American tradition of compassion. With six million people dying every year, we do not have a moment to lose. We ask that you vote for the Santorum-Durbin amendment to the Budget.
Sincerely,
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ACT UP Philadelphia Action Aid International USA Africa Action African American Health Alliance African Regional Youth Initiative Agua Buena Human Rights Association, San Jose, Costa Rica AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth & Families AIDS Action Council AIDS Foundation of Chicago AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC) American Foundation for AIDS Research American Jewish World Service American Nurses Association CARE Center for Health and Gender Equity Central Conference of American Rabbis CHAMP (Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project) Chicago Project for Violence Prevention, University of Illinois School of Public Health CT AIDS Life Campaign DATA—Debt AIDS Trade Africa Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation The Episcopal Church, USA Friends of the Global Fight Gay Men's Health Crisis General Board of Church and Society, The United Methodist Church Global Health Council Health Gap HIV Medicine Association Housing Works, Inc. Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health Ikonzo Musanda Self Help Group, Kenya Infectious Diseases Society of America International Council of AIDS Service Organizations (ICASO) International Women's Health Coalition National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA-US) NYC AIDS Housing Network Open Society Policy Center Physicians for Human Rights Plan USA Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. Project Inform Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Coalition RESULTS Ryan White Title 1 Las Vegas Eligible Metropolitan Area Planning Council Save the Children San Francisco AIDS Foundation Social Help & Research Organization of Pakistan Solidarity and Action Against the HIV Infection in India (SAATHII) Student Campaign for Child Survival Student Global AIDS Campaign The AIDS Institute The Belize Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS The Brazilian Interdisciplinary AIDS Association (ABIA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil The Global AIDS Alliance The Foundation for Integrative AIDS Research (FIAR); Brooklyn, NY The McGill International Health Initiative, McGill University in Montreal The Pangaea Global AIDS Foundation The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) The Well Project Treatment Action Group Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations Union for Reform Judaism Wellness HIV/AIDS Services Inc., Flint, Michigan Women Empowerment Literacy and Development Organization World Camps World Vision |
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