ACTION ALERT on Global Fund

[Guest guest]

The G8 Leaders, including President Bush, just signed a pledge to

support the Global Fund. We need your help NOW to make sure this

and other promises made at the G8 Summit do not turn out to be

empty promises! So take a minute to call your Senators - the

details are below. It's easy, it matters and it takes one minute or

less!

GLOBAL AIDS ALLIANCE

ACTION ALERT - July 15, 2005

Call Senators TODAY to Urge a Higher Contribution to the Global Fund to

Fight AIDS, Tb and Malaria

Senate Considering this Issue July 15-19!

ISSUE: Most of the US contribution to the cost-effective Global Fund to

Fight AIDS, Tb and Malaria is provided through the foreign operations

spending bill. The full Senate will soon vote on this bill. As currently

written, the bill does not contain enough for the Global Fund. The US should

keep its promises to the Fund, otherwise the it will not be able to renew

previous grants or issue new grants to high-quality health programs that

save lives.

There will likely be an attempt to amend the bill on the Senate floor to

increase the contribution. The vote will likely take place July 18th or

19th. We need this amendment to succeed!

TAKE ACTION:

==> Call your Senators and ask to speak with the staffer who handles foreign

aid appropriations. 202-224-3121. Emphasize you want your Senator to

initiate or support an amendment to the foreign aid bill that would increase

the amount for the Global Fund. Also fax a letter of concern. You do not

have to be an expert. Faxes and calls really matter!

You will find a handy directory here:

http://takeaction.stopglobalaids.org/directory/index.asp

TALKING POINTS:

.. I am calling about the foreign operations spending bill now being

debated on the Senate floor. The US promised to fully support the Global

Fund to Fight AIDS, Tb and Malaria. So, I urge you to initiate or support

an amendment that increases the US contribution to the Fund. The amount

specified in the bill as written is far below what the US should provide.

.. So far, each dollar from the US has been matched by two dollars from

other nations. Canada, Italy, France and others are contributing, so the US

should as well. Unless the US contribution is increased, our contribution to

the Fund will be much less than one-third of all contributions for 2006.

.. Unless an amendment passes, the Fund will not be able to help

countries improve their healthcare systems or expand access to prevention

and treatment of killer diseases.

.. We have to find a way to keep our promise to the Fund. Health

threats are putting global security at risk.

SAMPLE LETTER:

I am deeply concerned about the foreign operations spending bill now being

debated on the Senate floor. The US promised to fully support the Global

Fund to Fight AIDS, Tb and Malaria. So, I urge you to initiate or support

an amendment that increases the US contribution to the Fund. The amount

specified in the bill as written is far below what the US should provide.

Other donors to the Fund, such as Canada, Italy, France and others are doing

their fair share, so the US should as well. So far, each dollar from the US

has been matched by two dollars from other nations. Unless the US

contribution is increased, our contribution to the Fund will be much less

than one-third of all contributions for 2006.

The Fund is doing excellent work in helping Rwanda cope with the legacy of

genocide. It is also saving lives in Russia, India, and many other places

not fully reached by US programs. Unless we fully support it, the Fund will

not be able to help countries improve their healthcare systems or expand

access to prevention and treatment of killer diseases. I urge you to ensure

the Global Fund is able to renew expiring grants and issue a new round of

grants in 2006.

We have to find a way to keep our promise to the Fund. If we meet these

issues head on now, we will save money in the long run. Health threats are

putting global security at risk.

Background:

The Fund's needs are higher for next year compared to this year. That's

because previously funded grants are coming up for renewal and because the

Fund is now reviewing a large number of high quality applications for new

funding. Many countries are asking the Fund to help them improve their

health systems so they can better use aid from abroad.

The Global Fund has requested that the US provide a contribution of $930

million for 2006. That would be one-third of what the Fund needs to renew

grants that are expiring and issue a new round of grants. Japan has agreed

to triple its contribution, and France has agreed to double. Other nations

are also expected to double their current contribution.

The US Senate Appropriations Committee has approved $500 million for the

Global Fund. $400 million of this is through the Foreign Operations

Spending Bill, and $100 million is through the Labor, Health and Human

Services Spending Bill.

Some Senators are considering offering an amendment to the Foreign

Operations Spending Bill. If offered, this amendment will be voted on by

the full Senate Monday night or sometime on Tuesday. An amendment could

raise the amount by $100 million or more.

Once the Senate has finished work on the Foreign Operations Spending Bill,

the Bill will be considered together with members of the House in a

Conference Committee. The full House has already approved its version of

the bill, specifying $400 million for the Global Fund. The House did not

approve any money for the Fund via the Labor, Health and Human Services

Spending Bill, so the House amount is $400 million. If the Senate approves

a higher amount than the House the final amount will be decided in

Conference Committee.

Why is the Global Fund important and why does it need more money from the

US?

.. The Global Fund operates like a foundation. Countries apply for

funding for AIDS, Tb and malaria programs and private groups (including

churches) are involved in the process. Then, these applications are

scrutinized by a panel of experts. There are multiple checks to make sure

funds are properly used, and the Fund has very low administrative overhead.

.. The Fund's resources are saving lives right now, in 127 countries.

And, the Fund helps make sure greater resources can be absorbed and used

effectively. 20% of its resources go to human resources, 13% to physical

infrastructure, 6% to monitoring and evaluation.

Global AIDS Alliance 1225 Connecticut Ave, NW Suite 401 Washington, D.C.,

20036

Tel: 202-296-0260 ext. 211 Fax: 202-296-0261 info@...

www.globalaidsalliance.org

=============================================

Bryden

Global AIDS Alliance, Communications Director

1225 Connecticut Ave., NW #401

Washington, DC 20036

202-296-0260 ext 211

dbryden@...