Key Asks to the Global Fund in the Fight Against COVID-19

A people centred approach to COVID-19: placing human rights at the centre of the response.

As the pandemic spreads to poorer countries and those with higher rates of other deadly infectious diseases such as HIV, TB and malaria, we are concerned that those most affected and most vulnerable, those already with the least health security– will also feel the effects of COVID-19 more acutely.

The harsh reality is that many will be unable to practice social distancing or self-isolation, while those in insecure work will have no choice but to continue working – even when they are ill. We are already witnessing HIV prevention and harm reduction services shutting down overnight and threats to the supply of HIV and TB medicines and key commodities.

It is critical during the current COVID-19 global pandemic that the dignity of individuals and human rights are respected in all approaches to prevent and treat it. We must redouble efforts to ensure that stigma and discrimination are not barriers to prevention, accessing medical care, diagnosis, treatment, information and related social support services.

We should learn from the history of pandemics and those for which we still lack sufficient innovations and tools, such as HIV and TB to bend – or flatten the curve.

Raise the bar to flatten the curve: why investing in all aspects of health and human rights is needed to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on existing health systems.

As communities and civil society involved in implementing and advocating for resources for the Global Fund to fight HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria (“Global Fund”) we have long called for civil society and key populations to be actively involved and engaged at every level from planning, implementation to monitoring.

We have to flatten the curve of poverty, violence, criminalisation, stigma and discrimination.  We must make sure that it does not impact access to necessary medical treatment and barriers to care – particularly for those who are most vulnerable.  We have seen the damage this has done in HIV and TB and we have significant concern that the same mistakes are being made as we see a “lockdown” vision of global health security in response to COVID-19. 

Only with inclusive and properly funded health systems that address community integration and issues of rights, stigma and discrimination can we begin to address the current global crisis of COVID-19 and the ongoing crises of AIDS, TB and malaria. The role of communities is vital in the fight against pandemics, to provide timely, accurate information about stigmatized and vulnerable patients’ needs. Strengthened community-health systems are urgently needed as integral parts of the public health system, as mentioned in the Global Fund strategy, if we really want to leave no one behind.

We must raise the bar of what our health systems can do and how they serve people while we also seek to flatten the curve of the HIV, TB and malaria epidemics and COVID-19 pandemic.  

As we have learned in efforts with HIV/AIDS and TB, it can take decades to reverse imposed restrictions, decriminalize and sensitize policy and decision makers as well as the general public when we don’t place individuals rights and dignity at the centre of our response.

Therefore, it is critical that we ensure countries with fewer resources are able to control the virus with global public investment in a rights-based response to COVID 19.  We urge governments and international agencies to support efforts to sustain human-rights focused responses to HIV, TB and malaria and ensure that the gains made are not lost.    

Communities and Civil Society Asks of the Global Fund in the response to COVID-19

In these early days of the global response to COVID-19, we have seen positive approaches by the Global Fund to allow flexibilities within grants which have already been approved for more than 66 countries and a concerted effort to make information widely available via regular updates. As we step up the fight against COVID-19 we must ensure the Global Fund remains able to stay on track with efforts to fight the HIV, TB and malaria epidemics; our gains remain fragile and could be considerably derailed by COVID-19 in low resource settings.

As community groups and civil society we are therefore asking of the Global Fund as a partner in the fight against COVID-19:

1. Guarantee that human rights, gender equality and dignity are respected and lead in integrating human rights based approaches in any responses developed in the fight against COVID-19 and make sure that we flatten the curve of poverty, violence, stigma and discrimination while raising the bar of what our health systems can do while we respond to this latest threat.   

2. Work to ensure that community and key and affected populations are included in all discussions and Working Groups (or similar) at the country and Secretariat levels for pandemic preparedness, responses and monitoring of COVID-19, and be involved in the design AND implementation of the actions.

3. Lead in providing guidance on issues of continuity of HIV, TB and malaria service delivery: ensuring continued delivery on committed targets; viability of supply chains at the national and global levels – including with the aim to ensure that key programs to find and treat people with HIV, TB and malaria remain fully funded and ambitious as a key strategy to protect their health and reduce their vulnerability to COVID-19 while protecting community and other health care workers and addressing lab constraints and diversion of resources.

4. Safeguard the Universal Health Coverage principle of  “Leave No-one Behind” and leverage its leadership role within various fora including the World Health Organization, the Global Action Plan on Health among others, to advocate for a response that upholds dignity, aims to achieve universal access to quality diagnosis, treatment, care and adherence support without suffering financial hardship and works to eliminate – violence, stigma, discrimination and criminalization in order to specifically protect those who are most vulnerable and marginalized.

5. Work to ensure aligned efforts that properly support and train all health workers, including community health workers, to protect themselves against COVID-19, including provisions of protective equipment such as surgical masks and respirators as part of aligned prevention efforts and move towards integrated screening and testing services between the 3 diseases and COVID-19.

6. Actively support efforts to innovate and find point-of-care diagnostics, treatments and eventually, a vaccine that are all affordable and accessible.   

Signatories to the 6 Key Asks:

NameOrganizationCountry 
Aanu’ RotimiHealth Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON)Nigeria
Aanu’ RotimiHealth Sector Reform Coalition (HSRC)Nigeria
ABALOTOGO
AIDESFrance
Akat Pride ArrahOrganisation For Health in Sustainable Development (OHISD)Cameroon
AKPAKA AxelBENIN SYNERGIES PLUS “BéSYP”BÉNIN
AKPAKA AxelBénin Synergie Plus (BéSYP)Bénin
Alberto ColoradoAmericas TB CoalitionUnited States
Alhadji Moussa IssaAssociation pour la Sensibilisation et la Scolarisation des jeunes Cameroun…Cameroun
Alhousseini AboubacarRENIP+NIGER
ALI KANDI SAR-HABIR TOURÉTous nés libres et égauxBénin
Alice KayongoUganda
Allan MalecheKELINKENYA
Amira HerdoizaKimirinaÉquateur
Andreas Gylling AebeloeAIDS-Fondet/ The Danish AIDS FoundationDenmark
Andriy KlepikovAlliance for Public HealthUkraine
AngeUCOP+ (Union Congolaise des Organisations des PvVIHRD-Congo
Angelo BOJIHouse Of Rainbow / RDCRépublique Démocratique du Congo
Anton BasenkoAlliance for Public HealthUkraine
Apal BahirweVAG/ASBLRépublique démocratique du
Arne von DelftTB Proof and University of Cape TownSouth Africa
Association de Développement Jeunes du Kourwéogo (ADIJK)ADIJKBURKINA FASO
Atef GergesGatef organizationEgypt
Augustine KumahCentre for Adolescents and Women’s Health Initiative (CAWHI)Ghana
Aurel GNAHOUIONG RACINESBenin
Aurélien BeaucampAIDESFrance
Ava MrimaJinsiangu KenyaKenya
Babacar THIAMONG-AWASénégal
BAKARYONG RACINESBENIN
Bakouan BoukaryACADBurkina Faso
Baloumaye De la côteASGVCongo Brazzaville
BAMANA Baroma MadombaONG/CARD (Comité d’Action pour la Recherche et le Développement)Togo
Benga Bounya jeannetteVolontaires pour la création et la promotion des Initiatives de Development au Cameroun ( VOPID )Cameroun
Blessina KumarThe Global Coalition of TB Activists, GCTAGlobal
Bouanga Solat Quentin FareliSociété CivileCongo Brazzaville
Bridged FaidaConsolation East AfricaKenya
Cardon AmélieSidactionFrance
Carlin AlusaSportsmenwomen fighting HI /Aids im kenyKenya
Catherine CookHarm Reduction InternationalUnited Kingdom
CHAGAS ElyoteUnion SacréeBénin
Charles SiwelaYouth EngageZimbabwe
Choub Sok ChamreunActivists Coalition on TB – Asia Pacific (ACT! AP)Cambodia
Christine SteglingFrontline AIDSUnited Kingdom
Claude EhuiONG SEHMY-CICÔTE D’IVOIRE
Coulibaly LucieAlliance Nationale pour la Santé et le Développement Côte d’IvoireCICôte d’Ivoire
Dah ollo ToussaintOng l’etoile du BounkaniCote d’ivoire
Daho CharlesAmi des hommesCôte d’ivoire
David PerrotGroupe sida GenèveSuisse
David SubelianiEurasian Network of People who use DrugsGeorgia
Deme Papa AbdoulayeCoalition Plus AfriqueSenegal
Diaka Jules AlexisACS/AMO-CONGORDCongo
DibiCroix-Rouge françaiseRépublique centrafricaine
DISSOKE JEAN JACQUESALTERNATIVES CAMEROUNCAMEROUN
Djacpou Djomo Serge LaurentASSOCIATION D’ASSISTANCE AU DÉVELOPPEMENT (ASAD)Cameroun
Djasnarbé ndolmbayeAJLPTchad
DJEDJEMEL HISE CLARISSECOLTMR-CI: Collectif des Organisations de Lutte contre la Tuberculose et le…Côte d’Ivoire
DJIMBILTHPlanète aidesRépublique du Congo Brazzaville
Donitchin OuattaraONG semirCôté d’Ivoire
DOUKPO MaurèsAssociation COEXISTENCE ENTRE FRÈRESBénin
Dr DIABY MoustaphaONG Islam Action Sanitaire (ISLAS)COTE D’IVOIRE
Dr NZORIJANA JanvièreSWAA-BurundiBURUNDI
Ebbe mohamed el moctareONG ANADMauritanie
EbouAsgvBrazzaville
EDEN Lumière Action KorhogoONGCote d’Ivoire
Edona DevaCommunity Development FundKosovo
El hadji mamadou said bocoumONG/APDJSenegal
Elise RodriguezGlobal Health AdvocatesFrance and Europe
EMMA ACINAsolidarité féminineDjibouti
Enama Ossomba Jean PaulHumanity First CameroonCameroon
ENYEGUE BELINGA JEAN CLAUDEHUMANITY FIRST CAMEROONCAMEROUN
Ephrem MENSAHEspoir Vie-Togo (EVT)Togo
EPOÏ EKWE Richard FélixSociety For Women and Aids in Africa-LittoralCameroun
Esnart SikazinduCBTOZambia
Estelle TiphonnetCoalition PLUSInternational
FALOLA VeniseROAFEMBENIN
FIRINGA Jonhson VictoriusONG Réseau MAD’AIDSMadagascar
Florence ThuneSIDACTIONFrance
FOGUE FOGUITOPOSITIVE-GENERATIONCAMEROUN
FREIDJI AdilCollectif LGBTQA+ LIQAATMaroc
Gaëlle perla MahoroRight For young feminist&positive lifeRwanda
GANMOU EuphremJeunes DynamiquesBénin
GOTRE JULESONG AMEPOUHCÔTE D’IVOIRE
Guy Quentin NGUEMAAssociation des Jeunes de l’OkanoGabon
Hamza DjiboONENNiger
HOUSSIN-FANDY HortenseONG RACINESBENIN
Ida SavadogoRAMEBurkina Faso
Idrissa OUEDRAOGOAssociation Bangr NoomaBurkina Faso
Idrissa OUEDRAOGOAssociation SOS Santé EducationBurkina Faso
IKE HakimouAssociation pour la Promotion et l’Intégration de la Jeunesse du Centre No…Burkina Faso
IMA PascalAssociation Wendkouni du NamentengaBurkina Faso
Ingrid SchoemanTB ProofSouth Africa
Ivanhoe CruickshankCaribbean Vulnerable Communities (CVC)Jamaica
James ForbesICAD/CHABACCanada
James MalarAustralia
Javier Luis Hourcade BellocqCivil Society Sustainability NetworkThe Netherlands
Jean Jules KAMGUECOLIBRICAMEROUN
Jeanne GAPIYAAssociation Nationale de Soutien Aux Seropositifs et malades du SidaBurundi
Jeff AcabaAPCASOThailand
Jenny VaughanSTOPAIDSUK
Jérémie safariRainbow sunrise MapambazukoRépublique Démocratique du Congo
John KimaniKenya Network Of People Who Use Drugs ( KeNPUD )Kenya
Joshua OchiengEGPAF – CAYAKenya
Joyce OumaNEPHAKKenya
Jules BROUKOUMONG ADESCOTIGO
Juliana DavidsGender Transformation NetworkSouth Africa
Julio Cesar Aguilera HurtadoFundación Hábitat VerdeBolivia
KAFANDO S. BenoîtSOS Jeunesse et Défis KayaBurkina Faso
Katja Tielemann-RudererGermany
Katrin ChakerAssociation Solidarité FéminineDjibouti
Ken Monteith, directeur généralCOCQ-SIDACanada
KENGUE TIONGA IrmaMédiateur en santé communautaire du GabonGabon
Kenmogne Matchim PaulineAssociation Femmes et EnfantsCameroun
KOFFI N’guessan BlaiseAide Internationale pour Le Développement Durable (AIDD)CÔTE d’Ivoire
KONKOBO KoudnoagaCroix-Rouge BurkinabèBurkina Faso
KOTOKO Mahugnon FabriceASSAP-TB/BENINBénin
KOUASSI KraONG AIPCôte d’ivoire
KOULAMADJI SamsonONG ZONALTCHAD
KOUMOU ATIPO Marien William GervaisAssociation de Soutien aux Groupes Vulnérables (ASGV)République du Congo
KOUNKEU NGOUMBA Dagobert ChyrolAssociation Camerounaise pour l’épanouissement et l’autonomisation des per…Cameroun
LaazizAssociation de Lutte Contre le SidaMaroc
Lamla GamtuSocial changeSouth Africa
LANKOANDE AndréATTS / LéoBurkina Fasi
LANOKOU-MOULERO Jédidja René FennerveONG RACINES (Recherches Actions Communautaires, Initiatives pour un Nouvel …Bénin
Lwazi MlabaLifeByDesign FoundationSouth Africa
MAGATTE MBODJAlliance des Communautés pour la Santé PLUS (ANCS PLUS)SENEGAL
Magouindi Mahothès KoumbaSEDED (santé environnement et développement durable)Gabon
Makuala JuliaOASIS RD CONGORépublique Démocratique du Congo
Malik SAMASSEKOUARCAD Santé PLUSMali
MALOUMBI Ileryche PatouhYemini SantéCongo Brazzaville
María EncinasSalud por DerechoEspaña
Mark LagonFriends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and MalariaUSA
Mark VermeulenAidsfondsnetherlands
Martin-Mary FalanaKids & Teens Resource CentreNigeria
MARTINS ChristianCoalition des OSC du Bénin pour la Couverture Universelle en Santé (COBCU…Bénin
Masaki InabaAfrica Japan ForumJapan
Melle FAMBARE KankpenampoaONG MECAP-FR-TOGOTOGO
Michel OUEDRAOGOAssociation de Développement Intégré des Jeunes du Kourweogo (ADIJK)BURKINA FASO
Milton NgoveniTreatment Action CampaignSouth Africa
Miriam EdwardsCaribbean sex Work coalitionGuyana
Modibo KanéRMAP+MALI
MODOBE KARYASSOCIATION DJENANDOUM NAASSON (ADN)TCHAD
Moifo Portia MuediTB ProofRepublic of South Africa
Mombo Lembomba Guy RenéRenapsAj – GAC-Covid19Gabon
Mombo Lembomba Guy RenéRenapsAj – GAC-Covid19Gabon
Mombunza azuba césarCONERELA+DR CONGO
Mona BalaniNational Coaliation of People Living with HIV in India (NCPI+)India
Mona DrageLHL InternationalNorge
Mónica EspinosaUniversidad del ValleColombia
MoussaAssociation Afrique VisionBurkina Faso
Mpaga GeorgesROLBGGabon
MuhireSafe Friendly SocietyRwanda
Mwananawe AimableIMRO-RwandaRwanda
NdayaRESEAU DES ASSOCIATIONS CONGOLAISES DES JEUNES/RACOJRDC
NDAYIMIRIJE FICARDAlliance Burundaise pour la lutte contre la Tuberculose et la la lèpre (AB…BURUNDI
NDAYIRAGIJE MarcEANNASOBurundi
NgouImpact santé AfriqueCameroun
N’guettia Bini kouassi jédiaëlCôte d’Ivoire
Nibogora Berry DidierAMSHeRSouth Africa
Nicolas RITTERPILSIle Maurice
Nicoleta DascaluARAS – Association Roumaine contre le SIDARoumanie
Niluka PereraGlobal Fund Advocates Network Asia-PacificSri Lanka
NOGBOU FREDERIC EMILE ELLOASSOCIATION POUR LE BIEN ETRE COMMUNAUTAIRECOTE D’IVOIRE
NSABIMANA SuzanneSWAA-BurundiBURUNDI
Ntombethemba NdinisaSocial ChangeSouth Africa
Oba kami FranckAffirmative Action BeninBénin
Olayide AkanniJournalists Against AIDS (!JAAIDS)!NigeriaNigeria
Olive MumbaEANNASOTanzania
OuattaraCentre SASCôte d’Ivoire
OuedraogoAssociation pagb zoodo pour le bien être familial et socialBurkina faso
OUEDRAOGO RomainAssociation African SolidaritéBURKINA FASO
P. Romuald SAWADOGOCEPROFETBurkina Faso
Paul Aimé BAGAFOUPWYP GabonGabon
Paul ManyambaNational Association for People living with HIV/AIDS in Malawi (NAPHAM)Malawi
Peter OwitiWote youth development projectsKenya
Peter WiessnerAction against AIDS GermanyGermany
Peter WiessnerGermany
Phindile KhumaloKwanhliziyonye resource care centerSouth Africa
PHOLO MVUMBI ROGERAGIR POUR LA SECURITE ET LA SOUVERAINETÉ ALIMENTAIRE EN RDCONGO ASSA EN SI…RÉPUBLIQUE DÉMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO
Phumeza TisileTB ProofSouth Africa
Pierre Claver NdayizeyeAlliance Burundaise contre le Sida (ABS)Burundi
Pongault Elongo Jean-ClaudeCoeur Arc-en-cielRépublique du Congo
Princess Osita-OleribeCentre for Family Health Initiative (CFHI)Nigeria
Priscilla Simon IngbianCommunity Health Support and Empowerment InitiativeNigeria
Rachel OngGlobal Fund Advocates Network Asia-PacificSingapore
Raghavan Gopa KumarUniworld FoundationIndia
Raymond-Brian SebyalaNature NetworkKenya
Raymond-Brian SebyalaNature NetworkKenya
Renate BährDeutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung (DSW)Germany
Ricardo FernandesGrupo de Ativistas em Tratamentos (Groupe de Activistes en Traitements)Portugal
Robin MontgomeryInteragency Coalition on AIDS and Development (ICAD)Canada
Robyn WaiteResults CanadaCanada
Rodrigue Anthony MOAPA WALLARéseau des Organisations de Jeunes Africains Leaders des Nations Unies du …Gabon
Rodrigue Mouckandza NzaïLevehGabon
Rodrigue Mouckandza NzaïOmandaGabon
Rokhaya NguerSWAA/SénégalSénégal
Rosemary MburuWACI HealthKenya
Roshan De SilvaCARE ConsortiumSri Lanka
Rostand ESSONO ELLARCRSCSRGabon
Rukwatage JavierTHE FUTURE IN OUR MINDS RWANDARwanda
S. Benoît KAFANDOSOS/JD KayaBurkina Faso
Sansan kambou edouardAlliance Cote d’ivoireCote d’ivoire
SAR Francis DO BEHANZINEDUSIDABénin
Sarah NambudyeMothers’ Initiatives AfricaUganda
Séni na MaingoRépublique Centrafricaine
Serian CarlyleTB Europe CoalitionUK
SEYDOU DIABATERMAP+Mali
Shiba PhurailatpamAsia Pacific Network of People Living with HIV (APN+)Thailand
Shobha ShuklaCNSIndia
Sok Chamreun Choub,KHANACambodia
SOME VictorREVS PLUSBURKINA FASO
Sophie DilmitisWomen4GlobalFundZimbabwe
SOUAMY GildhasRENAPS/AJGabon
Soussia Victor Ben-BanadiAssociation des jeunes Artistes de Kousseri (ASSOJARTKO)Cameroun
Steave NemandeEvolveCameroun
Stefania BurboGlobal Health Italian NetworkItaly
Stephen LeonelliMPact Global Action for Gay Men’s Health & RightsUSA
Steve LetsikeAccess Chapter 2South Africa
Sylvie CHANTEREAUFriends of The Global Fund EuropeFrance
TALLA MOGHOM GHISLAIN ELVISHEALTH AND HUMANS RIGHTS CAMEROON(2HRC)CAMEROON
Tandile DlokweniSouth Africa
Tando NgewuSocial ChangeSouth Africa
Tara HogeterpGlobal Fund Advocates Network (GFAN)Canada/Netherlands
Tariro KutadzaDAPP in ZimbabweZimbabwe
Tasnia AhmedSpeak & ActBangladesh
Thierno Hamidou BALDEZéro Pauvre AfriqueGuinée
Thierno Hamidou BALDEZéro Pauvre Afrique (ZPA)Guinée
Thonny Adelphe ZUE ESSONOENSEMBLE NOUS VAINCRONSGabon
ThuauxAsgvCongo Brazzaville
Tom Muyunga-MukasaMost At Risk Populations’ Society in Uganda-MARPS in UgandaUganda
Tom Muyunga-MukasaAdvocacy Network AfricaKenya
Traore alain AbdoulayeAssociation dakupaBurkina faso
Traoré Cheick Abou LaïcoAssociation Kénédougou Solidarité(AKS)Mali
Treasure Sindisile NdesiSocial ChangeSouth Africa
Uwayezu andreWiceceka Christian Support organisationRwanda
Valdez EdgarInstituto para el Desarrollo Humano – BoliviaBolivie
Vianey NAMAOng ODDGabon
Viviane TATHIAssociation sourires de femmes (ASDF)Cameroun
WAFFO LELE FRANÇOIS PATRICKAvenir Jeune de l’Ouest (AJO)Cameroun
WAFFO LELE FRANÇOIS PATRICKAvenir Jeune de l’Ouest (AJO)Cameroun
Wim VandeveldeGNP+South Africa
Xhevat KurhasaniNGO KeAKosovo
Yolanda PaulThe University of the West Indies Mona campusJamaica
Yougang Tame HenrietteOFIF (organisation des femmes pour l’islam sans frontières )Cameroun
Yuliya ChornaTB Europe CoalitionUkraine
Yuliya ChornaUkraine
ZAGABE MUGOLI MartineLevain Des Femmes du Sud-KivuDR CONGO
ZAONGHO LANDRY STANISLASAFAFSI/BFBurkina Faso
ZIE KABOGBO CHRISTIANCOLTMR-CI(collectif des organisations de lutte contre la tuberculose et les…COTE D’IVOIRE
Zintsem Angele épouse DIM“AFVIPO ” association féminine vision positiveCameroun
ZULUMUR Roland FerrandPlateforme des ONG et Asociations de lutte contre le paludiismeCongo
أمينة عجمىصحتى بيئتىمصر