Tutu, Christian Leaders Call on G8 to Keep Aids Promises

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is among hundreds of Christian leaders around the world who have signed a letter urging the G8 nations to start "scaling up" their response to HIV and Aids.

The letter is a reminder to the G8 leaders of the commitments they made at the G8 summit in July 2005, when they promised to work towards universal access to HIV and Aids treatment by 2010.

"These words have given hope not only to the millions living with HIV but also to their families, to their communities and carers, and to entire countries for which the economic and social fabric is threatened by the devastation of Aids," the letter warns.

"However, without sufficient financial and leadership commitment from G8 countries, the words cited [...] have little meaning."

Other signatories of the letter include Dr Musimbi Kanyoro, General Secretary of the YWCA, Rev Dr Ishmael Noko, General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation and Tamara Appel-Cless, General Secretary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. UK signatories include Steven Fouch of the Christian HIV/Aids Alliance and Nigel Pounde of the Church of Scotland HIV/Aids Project.

They go on to warn of a "major funding shortfall" just three years away from the 2010 target date.

"As a result, more than 75% of people urgently needing life-saving treatment are not receiving it, and, last year, three million people died of Aids-related illnesses," they tell the G8 leaders.

"We call upon you and all the G8 heads of states to fulfil your stated goals of supporting a global response to HIV and Aids, tuberculosis, and malaria that achieves universal access to comprehensive prevention programmes, treatment, care and support by 2010," they say.

The call comes as G8 leaders prepare to meet in Heiligendamm in Germany from 6 to 8 June.

The letter presses the leaders to take "critical steps" to realise universal access, including the creation of a comprehensive, long-term funding plan, an overhaul of healthcare systems to ensure they can deliver HIV and Aids services, and provision of affordable HIV and Aids medicine and medical equipment.

"We are fully aware that the goal of universal access is very ambitious, but we are also very aware that nothing less will do if we have any hope of eradicating Aids from our world," the more than 570 signatories conclude.

"We call on you to demonstrate your leadership, to keep the promises you have already made, and to strengthen and support our collective resolve to live in a world without Aids."