The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (The Global Fund) announced at the United Nations Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai that it would spend over 70% of its funding, exceeding 9 billion dollars, in the next three years. This funding will primarily benefit countries most affected by climate change, aiming to support health programs that also need to address the climate crisis.
The United Arab Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported on Tuesday from Peter Sands, the Executive Director of the Global Fund, who stated, “The fight against deadly infectious diseases must go hand in hand with combating climate change.” He added, “The climate crisis severely impacts low and middle-income countries already struggling with high disease burdens and weak health systems, putting communities – that have contributed least to global carbon emissions – at significant risk.”
According to the agency, the Global Fund provides rapid and flexible emergency support to countries at the forefront of facing climate disasters. Over the next three years, it will invest more than $2.9 billion in the fifty countries most vulnerable to climate change. This investment aims to strengthen health systems, increase their resilience to climate changes, and improve preparedness for pandemic threats.
Climate change has been increasingly acknowledged as a significant factor exacerbating health challenges, especially in low and middle-income countries. These regions often face the double burden of infectious diseases and emerging threats from changing environmental conditions. The fund’s commitment to investing a substantial portion of its resources in these areas reflects a strategic approach to integrating climate action into global health initiatives. This move is crucial for building resilient health systems capable of withstanding the impacts of climate change while continuing to combat major infectious diseases like AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria
