JOHANNESBURG, 24 November 2011 (PlusNews) – The Global Fund to Fight HIV, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria has cancelled its next round of funding and cut off countries like Russia, 


China and Brazil after donors failed to deliver US$2.2 billion in previously committed funding. Emergency funding measures will now be put in place for some countries. 

Economic realities;

During 2011, several donors – including Sweden, Ireland and Germany – suspended funding to the Global Fund after media reports about grant mismanagement found by the Office of the Inspector General of the Global Fund. Spain made no pledges in 2011 and Italy has not been contributing to the Fund, according to Fund spokesperson, Marcella Rojo. 

Nevertheless, Sweden resumed funding the Global Fund in early November 2011 and Germany announced on 23 November that it would pay its 2011 instalment, confirming its full pledge for 2012. Global Fund executive director Michel Kazatchkine noted that the percentage of countries fulfilling their stated commitments has been falling in recent years. 

According to the Global Fund Observer, in 2009 almost 15 percent of donor pledges were not fulfilled. Last year, this percentage fell by another 10 percent. 

MSF has called on the Fund and donors to immediately raise the resources necessary for emergency funding as well as more sustained financial support. 

“Donors are really pulling the rug out from under people living with HIV/AIDS at precisely the time when we need to move full steam ahead and get life-saving treatment to more people,” said Dr. Tido von Schoen-Angerer, executive director of MSF’s Access Campaign in a statement. 

“All governments must chip in to the effort to curb HIV, but especially those with the capacity to really make a difference must urgently step up and support a new funding opportunity for countries by the Global Fund.”

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