BREAKING: UK Government steps back from leading the malaria fight
Today, for the first time in 20 years, the UK has significantly reduced its commitment to the Global Fund – an institution that has saved 50 million lives fighting AIDS, TB and malaria since its inception. By pledging £1 billion this is a real term cut in funding by nearly a third from 2019 - putting 1.54 million lives in jeopardy.
This year the Global Fund called for increased commitments from all donors to save 20 million more lives over the next three years. While most countries stepped up to the challenge, the UK’s decision to significantly reduce their pledge will risk lives and prevent the malaria fight from getting back on track.
By failing to step up the UK is threatening to derail the progress made in rolling back deaths from malaria over the last two decades. With incredible innovations such as treatments, vaccines and bed nets ready to roll out, now is not the time to step away from fighting a disease that's still killing a child every minute.
We urge the UK Government to return to its leadership role in the fight to reach zero malaria in a generation.
