Asked by: Florence Eshalomi (Labour (Co-op) - Vauxhall and Camberwell Green)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make it her policy to increase the UK’s contribution to the Global Fund’s for its Seventh Replenishment.
Answered by Vicky Ford
The UK is proud to be the Global Fund's third largest donor historically, investing over £4.4 billion since 2002. At the seventh replenishment pledging conference the UK committed to remain a strong supporter of the Global Fund and to announce our pledge in the coming weeks.
Asked by: Florence Eshalomi (Labour (Co-op) - Vauxhall and Camberwell Green)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference the UNAIDS report entitled In Danger, published on 2 July 2022, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of that reports findings; and what steps her Department plans to take to help reduce (a) global HIV transmission and (b) AIDS related deaths.
Answered by Vicky Ford
The UNAIDS 'In Danger' report highlights the disproportionate impact that the HIV epidemic still has on particular regions, such as sub-Saharan Africa, and key populations, such as women, girls and children.
As part of efforts to end the preventable deaths of mothers, newborns and children, the UK funds UNAIDS, the Robert Carr Fund and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The UK also supports a range of research on HIV and AIDS, such as the development, through the International Partnership on Microbiocides, of the dapivirine ring. This is the first long-acting HIV prevention product for women of its kind. The UK also invests in health systems strengthening to improve access to quality health services, including services for the prevention of HIV and to reduce AIDS related deaths.
Asked by: Florence Eshalomi (Labour (Co-op) - Vauxhall and Camberwell Green)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Prime Minister will attend the Global Fund Seventh Replenishment Pledging Event on the 19 September 2022 hosted by the President of the United States.
Answered by Vicky Ford
The Prime Minister was not able to attend the Global Fund Seventh Replenishment due to scheduling conflicts. I attended in her place.
Asked by: Florence Eshalomi (Labour (Co-op) - Vauxhall and Camberwell Green)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans she has to support local LGBT+ communities in the most challenging contexts in low and middle income countries.
Answered by Vicky Ford
The UK is committed to championing LGBT+ rights internationally and supporting those who defend them. Ministers and our overseas missions work closely with partners to advance LGBT+ equality, and promote the implementation of new laws and policies that better protect LGBT+ people from violence and discrimination.
Since 2018, the UK committed over £11 million in programmes to support the promotion and protection of LGBT+ rights. On 24 June, the Prime Minister announced a further £2.7 million of UK funding to support LGBT+ grassroots human rights defenders, and advance equality and freedom across the Commonwealth.
Asked by: Florence Eshalomi (Labour (Co-op) - Vauxhall and Camberwell Green)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking with international counterparts to ensure people living with HIV in Ukraine have access to essential life saving medicines during the Russian invasion of that country.
Answered by James Cleverly - Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
The UK has now committed £395 million in aid to the current crisis. This includes £220 million of humanitarian assistance which will be used to save lives, protect vulnerable people inside Ukraine and in neighbouring countries. It will also be used to support refugees fleeing Ukraine through the provision of logistics, advice and analysis of needs on the ground. This funding will help aid agencies respond to the deteriorating humanitarian situation by providing access to basic necessities and medical supplies.
Asked by: Florence Eshalomi (Labour (Co-op) - Vauxhall and Camberwell Green)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many staff in her Department are managing ministerial social media accounts as either (a) their primary responsibility or (b) as part of their role.
Answered by Vicky Ford
Content creation is one part of the digital team's responsibilities, there is no individual cost per video or graphic created. The creation of these assets, as well with other communications products, is funded by the FCDO's Communications Directorate staffing budget.
Content produced centrally is shared on the FCDO social media channels, including embassy and high commission social media channels overseas.