Attachments
Since 2003, the Global Fund has invested over US$2.6 billion in the Sahel region to support the people affected by HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria and to strengthen health systems.
The challenge
Years of conflict and political instability present ongoing challenges in the fight against HIV, TB and malaria, with devastating consequences for the most vulnerable communities.
Populations are spread across large, often desertic, territories with poor infrastructure and access to health care, and the region has some of the highest levels of maternal mortality in the world.
These challenges are compounded by climate change, which is bringing about extreme weather events such as drought and flooding, causing food insecurity, disease outbreaks and forced displacement within the region.
The Sahel has one of the youngest populations globally, with an average age of under 16 years old. In some parts of the Sahel, harmful gender norms prevail, leading to a high prevalence of child marriages among girls. Moreover, stigma and discrimination impact key populations’ access to health services. But with continued investment, the Sahel can protect its hard-won gains against HIV, TB and malaria and accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goal 3 target of ending the three diseases as public health threats by 2030. The Global Fund continues to support the Sahel toward that goal.