January 28th, 2022
The END Fund is firmly committed to working with the international development community and other critical stakeholders to accomplish our shared goal of ending the burden of neglected tropical diseases. The Kigali Declaration put forth by its signatories builds upon the goals established by the London Declaration on neglected tropical diseases, and places agency and ownership in the hands of individuals and communities.
“In the ten years since the historic 2012 London Declaration on NTDs, the world has come together to make tremendous progress against some of the world’s most neglected diseases,” stated END Fund CEO, Ellen Agler. “Now, ending NTDs is not only in sight, but it is possible within our lifetime. We emphatically welcome the Kigali Declaration and look forward to working with our partners across sectors to help mobilize the collaborative action needed to reach the finish line.”
Since the launch of the London Declaration, over one billion people were reached with treatment for NTDs each year. In addition, 34 countries eliminated at least one NTD, bringing the total to date to 43 countries, and 600 million fewer people now require NTD treatments. Building on this progress, there is resounding evidence that a dedicated group of signatories can unite to ensure that NTDs are eradicated, eliminated or controlled by 2030. As the only private philanthropic initiative solely dedicated to eliminating neglected tropical diseases, the END Fund commits to:
- Partner and collaborate with NTD endemic countries to support plans and stewardship of resources to achieve disease-specific goals
- Engage and coordinate donors to support the fight against NTDs
- Facilitate sustainable financing through collaboration with domestic funding processes and ensure that NTD donor resources complement, rather than undermine or replace, country resources
- Collaborate with country governments, academia, WHO and industry to implement evidence- informed, sustainable interventions
The Kigali Declaration arrives at a moment of urgency in the fight against NTDs and provides a window of opportunity to mobilize the resources, political will, community effort and collaborative action needed to reach the finish line. The END Fund understands the significant responsibility of our stated commitment and will pursue solutions that are collaborative, inclusive and bold.