The European Unions head office appealed Wednesday for more funding from the 25 EU governments to support programs fighting HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in Africa and Asia.
In a statement, the European Commission called on governments to “agree on a considerable contribution” to boost the budget of the EUs head office so it can widen its programs against the killer diseases.
The appeal came as EU governments wrangle over the next round of overall budget funding to cover 2007-2013, with several seeking to cut their contributions.
EU Development Commissioner Louis Michel called for the bloc to widen its aid program.
– HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB are the main killer diseases in many countries of sub-Saharan Africa and Asia and are also a major obstacle for development, Michel said. He called the proposed expansion to the E.U. program, “the basis for a continued, coherent and strong European response to this global threat.”
A Commission statement said the expanded program should include sending more mosquito nets and condoms to prevent the spread of malaria and AIDS , together with free access to counseling and testing for HIV/ADS, promotion of affordable drugs, research and education programs.
The EUs head office said it would seek support for the expanded program at a meeting of E.U. foreign ministers next month.
It did not put a figure on how much extra money was needed, but pointed out that the United Nations has estimated there is a 14,9 billion US dollar (85 milliarder DKR) “financing gap” in the fight against the three diseases.
The EU Commission said it currently contributes 239,2 million euro (1,77 milliarder DKR) to fight the three diseases, and is the second largest donor to the U.N. Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.
Kilde: The Push Journal
