The Crises: Global Disease and Extreme Poverty
- Every three seconds a child dies from extreme poverty.
- 1 billion people around the world live on less than $1 a day.
- 12 million children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS in Africa and that number is expected to climb to 18 million by 2010.
- Education is a powerful investment we can make to fight poverty, yet worldwide over 77 million children are not enrolled in primary education, more than half of whom are girls.
- Over one billion people lack access to clean water and 2.6 billion do not have access to basic sanitation. Every 15 seconds, a child dies from problems caused by lack of clean water.
The Opportunity: How can we beat extreme poverty and global disease?
Today, solutions exist that are affordable, achievable, and sustainable. We have the science, technology, and resources to beat global disease and extreme poverty.
- AIDS drugs can now cost as little as $1 a day.
- A bed net can save a child’s life for 5 years by preventing the contraction of malaria and costs only $5.
- You can put a child in school for a month for $13.
- A well provides clean, safe drinking water for 20 years at a cost of only $20 a person.
What is America already doing to help?
- Thanks to U.S. support through the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria, as well as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, almost 1.6 million people with HIV/AIDS are receiving lifesaving anti-retroviral treatment.
- In 2005, under pressure from ONE, the G8 agreed to increase aid to Africa by $25 billion and to all developing countries by $50 billion by 2010. The G8 leaders and the other shareholders also agreed to cancel 100% of the multilateral debts owed by qualified Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPCs). Already, the U.S. has cancelled 100% of the debts owed by 21 of the 40 HIPC countries. This will help kick-start the efforts of poor countries to achieve the Millennium Development Goals—but these promises will only be kept if we keep up the positive pressure.
