The United Kingdom is to increase its contributions to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, international development secretary, Hilary Benn MP, has announced.

Funding will be increased by almost 50% to £100 million a year in 2006 and 2007, meaning that the UK will now provide a fifth of the Global Funds’ total support.

The total UK international funding for HIV prevention, treatment and care projects over the next three years will total approximately £1.5 billion.

The UK is now the fourth largest contributor to the Global Fund and the world’s largest donor of international HIV aid after the United States. Announcing the additional UK financial commitment, the international development secretary said “the UK is committed to the fight against AIDS…the Global Fund needs more money, and we hope that other donors will also significantly increase their contributions."

UK funding of UNAIDS is also to increase by £8 million. The additional money will be used to finance a Global Task Team to ensure that money going to UNAIDS, the Global Fund and the World Bank reaches the services and individuals most in need.

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