Today, at the World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings in Washington D.C, Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai announced that Canada would commit an initial $190 million to the Global Financing Facility (GFF)! We celebrate this investment as a solid and timely down payment to help countries strengthen their health systems, prevent outbreaks, and make health and nutrition services accessible for all.
With commitments from Canada, Norway, Germany, the United Kingdom and the Gates Foundation, the GFF has mobilized over US$800 million to date in support of its new strategy. Looking ahead, a fully funded GFF will help ensure safe deliveries for 194 million women, vaccinate over 200 million children against preventable infectious diseases, and provide modern contraceptives to 254 million adolescent girls and women.
Hon. Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State, International Development, Canada: “Canada is committed to ensuring women and girls around the world have access to quality health care. We continue to champion the Global Financing Facility and their efforts with partner countries to strengthen health systems and deliver essential services to women, children, and adolescents. As a founding and leading donor, Canada has seen firsthand how this model delivers results. We remain committed to working with the GFF and partners to help scale impact, strengthen accountability, and build resilient systems that contribute to stronger global health security and stability around the world.”
For months, Results Canada’s grassroots advocates and a coalition of civil society organizations have been calling for Canada to pledge a $340 million commitment over 5 years to meet growing global needs. This campaign made something we’ve known for a long time clear for all decision-makers: Canadians care about global health and believe their country can and must improve it with investments in international assistance.
From coast to coast, Results Canada volunteers engaged Members of Parliament and published letters to the editor in record numbers! Our effort to make the case for sustained leadership was noticed at the highest levels of government, and it made a difference. We understand that the Canadian Government couldn’t make a five-year commitment today and we accept the $190 million as a downpayment we can build on to ensure the full length of the GFF strategy is funded for impact.
Launched in 2015 with Canadian leadership under the Muskoka Initiative, the GFF was designed to accelerate progress on ending preventable maternal, newborn, and child deaths. In 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted essential health services, Canada not only stepped up with additional investments, it co-hosted the GFF’s ambitious resource mobilization campaign alongside Senegal.
Since then, all GFF partner countries have reduced maternal and child mortality and adolescent birth rates. Most have expanded access to modern family planning and made significant progress in reducing childhood stunting. These are not abstract gains: they represent millions of lives improved and saved thanks to Canadian leadership and strategic investments!
At a time when progress on women and child health is under increasing pressure and inequalities are widening, Canada has reaffirmed its role as a global health leader. This investment will help advance towards universal health coverage, support economic growth and health sovereignty, while unlocking additional funding to make progress sustainable.
Canada’s initial pledge comes at a key moment, and the government must leverage it to generate momentum and encourage other donors to join. As a founding partner, Canada can testify of the importance and impact of the GFF, and advocate for broader support.
But we can also do more. As the GFF’s resource mobilization campaign moves forward, we will continue to call on Canada to build on this initial pledge and meet our full ask to ensure child survival and maternal health becomes a reality for all, including those living in remote and underserved communities.
