Irish Aid Announces New Partnership To Fight AIDS, TB And Malaria

Minister for Overseas Development Michael Kitt, T.D. has announced that Irish Aid has signed a new three year partnership with the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. Minister of State Kitt made the announcement following a meeting in Dublin with the Executive Director of the Global Fund, Professor Michel Kazatchkine.

The Global Fund is a global public/private partnership dedicated to attracting and disbursing additional resources to prevent and treat HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Speaking following their meeting, the Minister of State said:

"These three diseases entrench poverty and hold back economic and social development. In just over six years the Global Fund has become a leading force in the fight against these killer diseases. Ireland is proud to be a partner with the Global Fund. It is estimated that the Global Fund has saved over 2 million lives to date." Professor Kazatchkine added:

"Ireland and the Global Fund have a close collaboration.  By drawing up a three-year partnership strategy and backing it with a three-year financial pledge, Ireland's commitment goes far beyond the financial contribution. It lays the foundation for enhancing the effectiveness both of Irish bilateral aid and Global Fund grants by aligning our work both on a global and country level. "

Irish Aid's priority countries in sub-Saharan Africa are badly affected by these three diseases and are benefiting from the resources of the Global Fund. Over this three year partnership, the Government will provide €90 million to support the work of the Global Fund in these and other badly affected countries. For example, Lesotho, with an adult HIV prevalence rate of 23%, is the third worst affected country in the world, and has the highest proportion of children orphaned as a result of AIDS. With Global Fund support the Government of Lesotho is providing a basic package of care, support and protection for vulnerable children including ensuring access to education and health care.