(Montreal) Groups hope that Canada will take advantage of an upcoming international AIDS conference in Montreal to make a stronger commitment to funding a global organization that fights the disease, tuberculosis and malaria.
Posted at 10:42
Élise Legault, the Canadian director of ONE Campaign, says her organization wants Canada to provide $1.2 billion in funding to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria during the conference opening on July 29.
“With this investment, Canada, like other countries, would help save 20 million people over the next few years. The possibility that the Prime Minister [Trudeau] not taking advantage of this opportunity worries us,” she said.
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Justin Trudeau participated in the international conference of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria held in Montreal in September 2016.
Mme Legault claims that the Global Fund, which subsidizes ministries of health and nongovernmental organizations that fight these three diseases, has helped save about 44 million human lives over the past 20 years.
Canada is one of the main benefactors of the Fund. He has given her more than 4 billion since 2002.
Chris Dendys, executive director of the Results Canada group, says his group is “also pushing” for a $1.2 billion federal contribution. “That’s the amount the Global Fund says it needs — the bare minimum.”
“We hear that our request has caused a shock, which is unfortunate given the opportunity for Canada to create an impact and establish itself on the world stage while the rest of the planet watches,” said Ms.me Dendys.
The Global Fund is asking state donors for $18 billion in funding over the next three years, an increase of around 30% on the aid requested three years ago. Organization says it needs more money to make up for ‘hard-won gains’ [qui] have been lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic”.
The pandemic has disrupted healthcare services, including those fighting AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, says Ms.me Legault.
When the pandemic hit, we let these killer diseases take over. Deaths from tuberculosis and malaria have increased for the first time in several years. If this trend is not stemmed, it would be the worst legacy of COVID. We are really concerned about this setback.
Élise Legault, Canadian Director of ONE Campaign
According to her, the 1.2 billion claimed from the Canadian government is “a fair share” of the 18 billion objective targeted by the Global Fund. This amount represents a 30% increase from the previous Canadian contribution of $930.4 million in 2019.
Mme Denys recalls that Mr. Trudeau has often played the role of leader in encouraging other nations to contribute to the Global Fund. Other countries are waiting to see what Canada will do.
“It’s not just about Canada’s engagement. The issue is really important. You have to convince other donors to contribute and to do so at a level that will make a difference. If we don’t reach the goal, we dig a hole that other donors will fall into. »
A spokeswoman for the Prime Minister redirected questions on the matter to the office of International Development Minister Harjit Sajjan. Who said he couldn’t answer it before the next week.