The GAVI Alliance announced an additional US$25 million in matched pledges from three private organisations at a CEO breakfast hosted by Bill Gates and the UK during the World Economic Forum. The new commitments are being matched by the UK Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through the GAVI Matching Fund. The pledges were made by three partners:
– Comic Relief, described as a UK-based charity that “fights poverty and social injustice through the power of entertainment,” committed an additional £5 million (US$8 million), bringing its total commitment to US$12 million.
– LDS Charities, described as the volunteer-driven relief and development arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, pledged an additional US$3 million, bringing its total commitment to US$4.5 million.
– Vodafone, described as one of the world’s largest mobile communications companies, “committed to explore how mobile technology can help increase childhood vaccination levels in sub-Saharan Africa.” This first in-kind contribution to the GAVI Matching Fund initiative is valued at US$1.5 million and matched by the UK Government. The firm first announced its pledge last month.
vaccines and global health :: ethics and policy 