29 June 2005

Following today's World Health Organisation announcement that it is unlikely to meet its target of treating three million people with AIDS drugs by the end of 2005 (known as the ‘3 by 5’ initiative), ActionAid blamed national governments for the setback.

Following today's World Health Organisation announcement that it is unlikely to meet its target of treating three million people with AIDS drugs by the end of 2005 (known as the ‘3 by 5’ initiative), ActionAid blamed national governments for the setback.

ActionAid says that the expected shortfall in reaching the '3 by 5' target is due to a lack of political will and sustained funding over the long term, and that free treatment for all is essential to making AIDS and poverty history.

Felicity Daly, ActionAid's HIV and AIDS policy officer said, "This news is an indictment of leaders in rich and poor countries, who have failed to fully back this vital initiative.

"Next week's G8 summit is a chance to make amends. The UK has promised that it will push for a commitment to make AIDS treatment available to all by 2010. The world is watching to see if G8 leaders will provide the increased and sustainable funding that will save millions of lives and help rebuild economies."

In the developing world, ActionAid is particularly concerned that India, Nigeria and South Africa – which account for 41% of worldwide unmet treatment needs – are demonstrating a lack of commitment to scaling up access to drugs.

"A lack of urgency is condemning hundreds of thousands to early deaths," said Felicity Daly.

The agency also points out that, while the UK has recently shown leadership in bringing the need for access to AIDS drugs to the political table, it is also one of the donors that should be putting more resources behind the WHO initiative as the first crucial step towards treatment for all.

ActionAid is calling on G8 leaders to commit to a 2010 AIDS treatment target for all, and to put in place the necessary funding and systems that will deliver it.