Of the 33 million people living with HIV/AIDS, Africa (which has just over 10% of the world's population) is home to 67% (22 million). The disease is the leading cause of death in Africa, with approximately 3,800 people dying every day from AIDS. Women make up approximately 60% of estimated HIV infections in sub-saharan Africa and, as a result, women and children are the hardest hit by the disease. Every time an adult begins AIDS treatment including antiretroviral drugs, the survival of children becomes less precarious.
An estimated 14.1 million children in Africa have been orphaned because of HIV/AIDS already and this number is growing. More than 1,000 children, most within sub-Saharan Africa, are infected with HIV each day.
It costs around 20 pence a day to fund the antiretroviral pills needed to help people with AIDS stay alive. Yet for most people in sub-Saharan Africa who have to live on less than $2 per day, this figure is out of reach. AIDS is a preventable, treatable disease if the means exist to buy the medicine that is needed. (RED) (opens in a new window) engages business and consumer power to help provide people with the treatment they need to stay alive, so that they can go on taking care of their families and contribute socially and economically to their communities.
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
The Global Fund, the recipient of (RED) (opens in a new window) funds, is the world's leading financer of programs to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, which kill over 6 million people each year. Created in 2002, the Global Fund has so far committed $19.3 billion to life saving programs in 144 countries and accounts for a quarter of all international financing for AIDS globally (three-fifths of the world's funding for malaria and tuberculosis). The Global Fund was the first international financing body to fund a massive scale-up of antiretroviral treatment in developing countries, starting in 2003.
The Global Fund invests 100% of (RED) (opens in a new window) dollars in HIV/AIDS programs in Africa, including interventions targeting women and children. Global Fund (RED) (opens in a new window) grants are selected based on a track record of consistently good performance, thus ensuring that every dollar raised is effectively and immediately translated into lives saved, and that every life thus saved is accounted for.
The Global Fund invests 100% of (RED) (opens in a new window) dollars in AIDS programs in Africa with a focus on women and children. (RED) (opens in a new window) grants represent the best performing and neediest programs within the Global Fund's extensive portfolio of AIDS grants in Africa, thus ensuring that every dollar raised is effectively and immediately translated into lives saved, and that every life thus saved is accounted for.
The Global Fund is a public-private partnership, governed by representatives of governments, people living with the diseases, the private sector and civil society from all over the world. It enables countries to design and execute their own programs, but is performance based, so it provides funds only on the basis of proven results. The Global Fund needs additional resources from all sectors to continue scaling up the support for life-saving work around the world.
For more information about the Global Fund, visit theglobalfund.com (opens in a new window)
For more information about (RED), visit (RED) (opens in a new window)
