“For the Burundian people, the Global Fund means hope and salvation”
-Felix Ntungumburanye, Burundi
As a citizen of the United States, I sometimes forget how lucky I am to live in a country where I can receive proper medical care, and not spend my days worrying over whether or not I am going to contract a fatal disease such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis or malaria. There are millions of people who wake up everyday and sadly learn that they have lost a friend or family member to preventable diseases.
Fortunately, being that the United States is a world power and leader, we as citizens have the opportunity and ability to help countries that are less fortunate through the financing of programs to fight these devastating diseases. The Global Fund is the largest financer of programs to fight AIDS, TB, and malaria, giving $18.7 billion for programs in 140 countries. The Global Fund has many contributors, the main one being (Red) which has generated $140 million in support of the Global Fund.
Global Fund to date:
- Reached 62 million people with HIV counseling and testing
- Provided 3.2 million AIDS orphans with basic care and support
- Averted more than 4.9 million deaths by providing AIDS treatment for 2.5 million people
Seeing these facts is astonishing, and now I understand why Felix Ntungumburanye says that the Global Fund means “hope and salvation” to him. Without philanthropy groups such as these, certain countries would be in even worse despair. Powerful countries such as the United States having been doing a great job at extending support and providing a sense of hope for those less fortunate.
For more images view Global Fund Slideshow
sources: pictures: Maciej Dakowicz
article: (RED)