Geneva – The German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development and the Global Fund have signed an additional EUR 150 million contribution agreement to reduce the impact of COVID-19 in low- and middle-income countries, creating a strong partnership in the fight against the pandemic. .
Germany’s contribution to the Global Fund’s COVID-19 response mechanism, announced by Chancellor Angela Merkel in June, was signed at the side of the Global Fund’s 44th Board meeting in Geneva.
“We are extremely grateful for the leadership and support of Germany in providing additional funding for our response to help countries fight COVID-19,” said Peter Sands, executive director of the Global Fund. “Thanks to Germany’s support and solidarity, we are able to deliver COVID-19 tests, protect health workers with personal protective equipment, maintain critical health services and protect our heavy profits from HIV, TB and malaria.
With the support of donors and partners, the Global Fund plays a key role in the global response to the pandemic and in protecting against HIV, TB and malaria. The Global Fund immediately made up to US $ 1 billion available to help countries fight COVID-19, sharpen health systems and mitigate the impact on life-saving HIV, TB and malaria programs; However, the funds are now being deployed almost in full, while land claims continue to increase as the pandemic accelerates in many regions.
The Global Fund is also a founding partner of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, a global collaboration of organizations and governments working to develop, produce and equip access to new COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines expedite as soon as it is available. .
As a result of the Global Fund’s collaboration under the ACT Accelerator, the Global Fund initially made $ 50 million available from its COVID-19 response mechanism to enable countries to acquire 10 million new rapid tests for fair use. ensure access and the ability to support the test. Today, testing is the only effective tool to curb the pandemic, save lives, and reopen economies safely.
As the world’s largest provider of grants for strengthening health systems, Global Fund investments in community responses, health workers, laboratories, supply chain improvements and health information systems support the response to COVID-19 in many low- and middle-income countries.
“The consequences of the COVID-19 crisis will run deep, even more so for the poorest and most vulnerable. To uphold these efforts and achieve global health goals, increased cooperation, innovation and solidarity are critical. No one is safe. until everyone is safe, ”Sands said.