A Big Week for Global Health!

Although it didn't make huge headline news, last week was full of successes for global poverty activists here in the United States. We saw the results of years of work by thousands of activists working on worldwide hunger, infectious diseases, and education. Honestly, each item could be a separate blog, but it's so fun to celebrate all three together! Please read on...

Global Malnutrition Bill PASSED Congress!

Image: Cindy updates Woodridge UMC
church about progress on HR 4693

After years of working on this bill (and even more time working on the resolutions that led up to it), the Global Malnutrition Prevention and Treatment Act H.R. 4693 passed the House earlier this year and then passed the Senate by unanimous consent on September 21. This passage represents incredible work by the volunteer advocates of Bread for the World, RESULTS, and other partner organizations to get this pushed through in an election year. Nobody is actively promoting world hunger, but global malnutrition is one of those issues that can get pushed to the side and forgotten as members of Congress turn their attention to getting re-elected by campaigning on high-profile issues. 

Now, it heads to President Biden for his signature. It will make existing U.S. global nutrition programs even more effective and support countries in their efforts to prevent and treat child and maternal malnutrition. Read this update from Bread for more details.

$14.5 Billion Pledged for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB & Malaria

Image: Cindy with Senator Hawley's aide
delivering letters about the Global Fund

The Replenishment Conference for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria is a time when country leaders gather together in partnership to make commitments to one of the most effective programs for fighting disease across the globe. For American advocates like me, this year was especially meaningful because the U.S. played host in New York City with President Biden in attendence. The promises made there would set the stage for the next three years of Global Fund activities. As a reminder, the Global Fund fights infectious diseases of poverty with full participation from the low-income countries receiving aid from international government, corporate, and civil society donors. 

Image: Cindy delivering constituent letters to
Rep. Wagner's office for the ONE Campaign

On September 21, the conference culminated with the President announcing that the conferenece had raised an historic $14.25 billion in pledges! This number includes $6 billion over the next three years from the U.S. alone. ONE Campaign volunteers were on the streets in the city calling attention to the event. Advocates like me acted in solidarity by delivering letters from constituents to members of Congress in support of the Global Fund. Why? Because no matter what the President promises, Congress has to approve the budget every year. So, we want them to always remember the great work of the Global Fund and how much constituents want to support it.

Yet as big as $14.25 billion sounds, the job is not quite done. RESULTS Executive Director Dr. Joanne Carter wrote in her update to volunteers: "Our full goal for this campaign is $18 billion, which means we are not there yet. But the total so far doesn't yet include the UK or Italy, who both promised to announce their pledges soon. And the UK has historically been one of the single largest donors to the Global Fund." Since the U.S. is matching every $2 from other donors with $1 from the United States, up to $18 billion total, our $18 billion goal is still within reach. Stay tuned!

READ Act Reauthorization Passed the House

Image: My daughter in 2010 advocating for
global education legislation that would
become the READ Act of 2017

Just when I thought I should start writing up a blog about those other two success, I heard a THIRD piece of good news! The READ Act Reauthorization passed the House of Representatives! 

The 2017 READ Act was legislation enabling the U.S. to have a leadership role for global equity in access to education. But that legislation needs an update. The Read Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 will allow the U.S. to continue to help improve literacy and numeracy in basic education for children around the world. It will demand even better monitoring and evaluation efforts, improving our ability to achieve key global education goals.

The next step in the process to pass this reauthorization is to get it passed in the senate. Visit the RESULTS web page here to send an email message to your senators immediately. 

Image: Book cover

Buy an autographed copy of "From Changing Diapers to Changing the World: Why Moms Make Great Advocates and How to Get Started" at my website www.changyit.com or order it from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or any independent bookstore!