The Civil Society for Malaria Elimination (CS4ME) has begun making preparations for its contribution to the successful replenishment of the Global Fund to fight malaria , HIV, and tuberculosis.
Seven months ahead of the event, stakeholders gathered for the CS4ME annual meeting on 21st January, attended by over 150 participants from around the world. Participants included Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), donor organizations, and Impact Santé Afrique, the CS4ME secretariat for French Africa.
“Civil society organizations play a crucial role in the successful replenishment of the Global Fund. They collaborate with other organizations, including private sector partners, to create innovative funding mechanisms and broaden the donor base,” Brice Bambara, the Global Fund representative at the meeting said.
The Global Fund mobilizes resources every three years to invest in the fight against malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV. The majority of the funds come from the public sector, with 94% from donor governments, while the private sector, foundations, and innovative financing initiatives contribute the remaining 6%.
Stakeholders also discussed the state of the global fight against malaria and focused on new initiatives to step up the fight during the CS4ME annual meeting.
According to the most recent World Health Organization (WHO) malaria report published in December 2024, an estimated 263 million cases of Malaria and 597,000 deaths were reported across the globe in 2023. The report shows about 11 million more cases reported in 2023 compared to that of 2022. Five countries particularly witnessed an increase in malaria cases; Ethiopia 4.5million, Madagascar 2.7million, Pakistan 1.6million, Nigeria 1.4million and 600,000 cases in the DRC. About 80 million people in Malaria-endemic countries were internally displaced persons (IDPs) or refugees. Additionally, almost 95% of these deaths were reported in the WHO African Region, where vulnerable populations still lack access to screening, prevention and treatment of the disease.
From 2010 to 2023, 67% of malaria funding were mobilized by international sources, with endemic countries contributing 33%. In the same year, international sources contributed about 63% of malaria funding , with endemic countries increasing their share to 37%, according to the Global Fund.
Thanks to the work of the Global Fund, an estimated 2.2 billion cases and 12.7million deaths have been averted between 2000 and 2023. More than 177 million cases and 1 million deaths were also averted globally within the same time frame .
The Replenishment
The Global Fund’s 8th replenishment campaign is set to take place in September 2025, covering the funding period 2026-2029. As the 2023-2025 cycle comes to an end, participants of the CS4ME annual meeting came to terms with why CSOs must play a crucial role in ensuring the success of the 8th replenishment.
To make this dream a reality, CSOs will focus on raising awareness about the importance of the Global Fund’s replenishment, engaging with policymakers, organizing community events, and collaborating with private sector partners to create innovative funding mechanisms.
Despite facing challenges such as political and economic instability, advocacy fatigue, and changing donor priorities, CSOs are committed to expanding donor options, build strong networks, leverage digital tools to amplify advocacy and keep in tune with global health trends.
CSAME: Championing Malaria Elimination
CS4ME, a global network of CSOs and communities, is at the forefront of Malaria elimination with 648 members in 48 countries. Since its creation in 2019, CS4ME has worked to ensure that civil society becomes an indispensable actor in malaria elimination.
Among key projects run by the organization is the recent launch of the CS4ME Climate Change and Malaria Initiative which seeks to address the relationship between climate change and Malaria elimination.
As preparations for the 8th replenishment intensify, the CSOs, including CS4ME, are poised to continue playing a vital role in ensuring a successful replenishment and ultimately, tangible progress in malaria elimination.
Kathy Neba Sina
