As one of the major funders in global health, the foundation has awarded the project for the first time in 2017. Then in 2019, it supported the project for the second phase.
Making the Netherlands a champion of development aid again
The Netherlands has always been a champion in development aid. The country provided at least 0.7% of its gross national income to Official Development Assistance (ODA). Sadly, the trend changed in the past few years. The Dutch contribution to development aid is shrinking at an alarming rate. This has serious consequences for people who need it the most.
What is ODA?
Watch this video about ODA and why it is important:
As one of the leading Dutch organisations working for global health, Cordaid feels the importance of acting on this worrying trend and engaging Dutch policymakers and politicians active in the global health conversation.
The Bill & Melinda Gates foundation continuously stresses the importance of increasing development cooperation. The grant from the Gates Foundation enabled Cordaid to dedicate a full project on the matter. All efforts of the project aim to ensure that the Netherlands increases its ODA to 0.7% with 0.1% for improving healthcare in low-income countries.
COVID-19 emphasises the importance of global health
The importance of global health has become more visible since the COVID-19 pandemic. It has shown that no country is safe until every country is safe. The virus does not discriminate or regard borders. In a globalised world, infectious diseases that are not handled properly because of weak health systems can spring back at any time. The Netherlands should invest in global health for its own safety as well.
Secondly, health has a direct impact on the social and economic stability of a country. If countries are equipped to handle situations like COVID-19, that will stop long-term negative consequences like economic depression, social instability and migration.
Thirdly, and most importantly, health is a human right. We can never achieve an equal and just world without attending to this basic human need. It is a moral obligation for the Netherlands, as a country that has committed to Universal Health Coverage.
Act now!
This is a crucial and transformative moment. Therefore, we urge the Netherlands even more to increase investment in development and in health systems in low-income countries.
Thanks to the grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Cordaid can keep engaging Dutch politicians and governments in this crucial conversation about global health.
