Canada Doubles 2005 Contribution to Global Fund to $112 Million

Canada for 2005 will more than double its 2004 contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to $112 million, compared with the $50 million it contributed last year, the fund announced on Monday, the AP/Jamaica Observer reports (AP/Jamaica Observer, 3/1). The contribution will be administered through the Canadian International Development Agency and is a part of the $275 million in the country's budget allocated for global health initiatives this year, according to a Global Fund release. In order to meet the U.N. Millennium Development Goals, the Canadian government has called for an increase of $274 million in funding over the next five years for international development initiatives and aims to double its current aid commitments by 2010. "Canada's increased contribution is particularly welcome, as this is a year where we face extraordinary challenges," Global Fund Executive Director Richard Feachem said, adding, "To meet our current commitments, we will need $2.3 billion in 2005, and by 2007 we estimate our financial needs at $3.6 billion. We encourage other countries to follow Canada's lead" (Global Fund release, 2/28).

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