New campaign to save Global AIDS Fund

A new campaign to save the cash-strapped Global AIDS Fund has been launched by the Global Network of People living with HIV/AIDS (GNP+).

"It Starts with Us" is an initiative encouraging HIV-positive people to contribute to the Global Fund. Despite pledges of almost US $2 billion, the Fund is in jeopardy and currently lacks the $1.4 billion it needs to approve its third round of grants in October 2003.

"If we lose the Global Fund we are losing a critical opportunity to turn the tide of the HIV pandemic. 'It Starts with Us' shows that people living with HIV/AIDS (PWAs) are doing their fair share. Now the donor countries and the private sector must immediately do theirs," Stuart Flavell, international coordinator of GNP+ said in a statement.

Almost 18 months after issuing its first call for funding proposals, the Fund remains seriously under-resourced, and concern is mounting over its sustainability.

According to GNP+, by 2005 there will be a six-fold increase in the number of people receiving HIV treatment in Africa as a result of assistance from the Fund. Up to 500,000 children orphaned by HIV/AIDS will also be receiving support.

To kick-start the campaign, Philippa Lawson, a PWA representative on the Global Fund board, will bring "a bag of money" to the next board meeting. "It Starts with Us" has asked all HIV-positive people to send as much money as possible before the meeting on 3 June 2003. This will demonstrate "in a concrete and physical way", that the Global Fund matters to PWAs, the statement added.

The campaign complements existing efforts to support the Fund, such as the "Fund the Fund" campaign. Fund the Fund has brought together major international and national NGOs and networks of people living with HIV/AIDS, including GNP+, to lobby and advocate for increased investment by governments.

More details: www.gnpplus.net