Rock Star’s spotlight on aid

By John Kiwanuka Ssemakula, 4 June 2002

Losing out in the stakes

The trip ends at the same time a conference in Cape Town of African scientists, multilateral and donor organizations, research agencies and industry meet to accelerate research and testing for the development of an AIDS vaccine for Africa.

The meeting aims to define a plan of action for the next seven years, and to raise US$233 million for the African AIDS Vaccine Programme (AAVP). 

Over two thirds of people infected with HIV/AIDS in the world live in Africa, yet of the 30 vaccine trials conducted in the world, only 2 have been held in Africa.

Less than 2% of the $2.5 billion dollars spent annually on vaccine research is spent in Africa, 41 million dollars (1.6%)         

With no cure in sight, the only long-term hope to control AIDS is with a vaccine.

So what has been achieved by the trip to Africa? The $10 billion U.S. foreign aid budget is the lowest among wealthy nations as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP).  O'Neill a well known skeptic on foreign aid has publicly questioned the gains that have come from the hundreds of billions of dollars in assistance donated to poor countries over in the past.

If nothing else the trip of rock star, movie star and treasury official has served to keep the focus on the debate for aid to Africa and how best to use it. But it still remains to be seen if more money from rich foreign donors is forthcoming. The Global Fund For the Fight Against HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria has so far raised $2 billion dollars, far short of the $7-10 billion needed each year.