HIV & AIDS
Tuberculosis
MalariaThe Global Fund / Karin Schermbrucker
COVID-19 threatens us all and puts the fight against HIV, TB and malaria at risk.
Around the world, people are uniting to fight. Health workers, governments, businesses, technical agencies, advocates and individuals are working together to continue the fight against infectious diseases and save lives. The Global Fund, the largest multilateral funder of health systems worldwide, is providing immediate funding of up to US$1 billion to help countries fight COVID-19, mitigate the impact on lifesaving HIV, TB and malaria programs, and prevent fragile health systems from being overwhelmed.
Immediate funding
Under the World Health Organization’s leadership, the Global Fund is using its experience working with partners and governments in more than 100 countries to coordinate our response on a massive global scale. The Global Fund’s response to the pandemic makes available up to US$1 billion through grant flexibilities and the COVID-19 Response Mechanism.
The Global Fund / John Rae
Grant flexibilities
Through grant flexibilities, countries can use up to 5% of existing Global Fund grants to fight COVID-19 and mitigate the impact the pandemic has on HIV, TB and malaria programs. Up to US$500 million is available through these grant savings and reprogramming.
COVID-19 Response Mechanism
Through the COVID-19 Response Mechanism, countries can access funding to reinforce the response to COVID-19, mitigate the impact of the pandemic on HIV, TB and malaria programs, and make urgent improvements in health and community systems. The mechanism has an initial allocation of US$500 million.
The Global Fund / Karin Schermbrucker
Fighting COVID-19 on the front lines
With personal protective equipment, radio broadcasts and innovative mosquito net campaigns, Global Fund-supported countries are fighting COVID-19, shoring up health systems, and mitigating the impacts on lifesaving HIV, TB and malaria.
AVSI Foundation in Uganda
Protecting mothers and babies from HIV
In northern Uganda, COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions on transport are a barrier to accessing health services for mothers and pregnant women living with HIV, putting them and their babies at risk. Workers are building the capacity of health facilities to deliver antiretroviral treatment and health services door to door.
Distributing mosquito nets to protect families from malaria
As the rainy season approaches in West and Central Africa, the Global Fund is working with partners to implement new strategies to distribute mosquito nets to protect families from malaria despite the disruption caused by the COVID-19. For the first time, community health workers in Benin went door to door to distribute more than 8 million mosquito nets across the country. About 5,500 community workers were mobilized to complete this lifesaving activity in 20 days.
Hugues Ahounou/Catholic Relief Services
CO “100% Life”
Sending HIV medication by post
COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions on public transportation make it harder for many to get treatment. In Ukraine, the Global Fund is supporting an initiative organizing courier services to deliver medicines to the homes of people living with HIV.
Countries using Global Fund support to fight COVID-19
"It is absolutely critical to take swift action, both to protect people now and to maintain lifesaving programs to fight HIV, TB and malaria. We face a monumental challenge, and we have to work together like never before. It is not only the right thing to do, it is also the smart thing to do. We must unite to fight."
Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund
Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund
The COVID-19 pandemic threatens us all and could destroy years of progress against HIV, TB and malaria. To defeat COVID-19, protect progress against HIV, TB and malaria, and save lives, we must unite to fight.
Learn more about our emergency response to COVID-19 and our part in global efforts:
Focus On COVID-19
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See the latest on the Global Fund’s response to COVID-19.
Published 19 May 2020