The pledging conference of GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, has actually surpassed its target of raising 7.5 billion US dollars. This sum will make it possible to immunise another 300 million children in developing countries. Germany too will be increasing its contribution, announced Chancellor Angela Merkel.
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Germany has pledged 600 million euros, marking an increase in the financial support it gives the global Vaccine Alliance, announced Chancellor Angela Merkel at the pledging conference. "We want to give 300 million children around the world a chance of healthy development," declared Angela Merkel.
This sum has been pledged to GAVI for the period 2016 to 2020, she explained. Back in November, the German government pledged a sum of 500 million euros. The decision to raise this sum was taken partly as a result of the Ebola epidemic.
Within the scope of Germany’s G7 Presidency, the German government decided to host the pledging conference in Berlin under the patronage of Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Angela Merkel pointed to the achievements to date: child mortality has declined in poorer countries. Far fewer people today die of malaria or tuberculosis. She also stressed, however, that there is a lot of work ahead. "Almost one child in four still has no immunisation protection."
GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, finances vaccination campaigns in developing countries, where more than 85 per cent of children have no immunisation protection. Since it was founded in 2000, GAVI has helped immunise 500 million children, preventing seven million deaths.
By 2020 another 300 million children in developing countries are to be immunised, but the aim is also to improve the health status of people in the poorest parts of the world.
"There is a tradition of health being one of the priorities of the G7 and the G8," said the Chancellor, and announced an initiative to improve the management of international health emergencies.
"We must invest more in prevention and research. We must strengthen the capacities of health care systems as a whole to deliver. The Ebola epidemic in West Africa was a dramatic illustration of the need for this. The health systems were unable to withstand the onslaught of the Ebola outbreak. Thousands of people became infected and died. The total human suffering, the social upheaval and the economic costs cannot yet be predicted with certainty," said the Chancellor.
Part of the initiative involves putting in place a rapid response team of medical specialists, known as "white helmets". The six-point initiative provides for the establishment of a fund that can provide rapid financial aid and for the strengthening of health systems in states that are particularly at risk. Incentives are also to be created for research and the production of drugs and vaccines against neglected diseases.
The initiative is being tabled at the United Nations jointly with Norway’s Prime Minister Erna Solberg and the current Chairman of the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) and President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama.
The initiative embraces six points
Establishment of a rapid response team of doctors and medical staff who can be deployed in areas suffering crises or emergencies ("white helmets")
Acceleration of the provision and transport of medical materials (including field hospitals, mobile laboratories, protective clothing) to areas suffering crises
Establishment of a fund to provide rapid financial aid
Adjustment of the organisational structures of the United Nations to bring them into line with the global challenges posed by epidemics
Strengthening primary health care systems in states at particular risk
Creation of incentives for research and the production of drugs and vaccines against neglected diseases
In his opening address Federal Development Minister Gerd Müller said, "We are hosting a unique initiative. It saves the lives of children by immunising them. GAVI’s message is strong – health must not be the preserve of those with money. That applies in Germany and around the world. Thanks to GAVI, children in Africa can be given a 5-in-1 vaccine for two dollars that costs 35 dollars in industrialised countries. GAVI is an example of global social justice."
GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, is a public-private partnership that is funded by governments, organisations including the World Health Organization and UNCEF, pharmaceutical companies, research facilities, civil society, foundations and private individuals.