Every day thousands of people die of TB, Malaria, HIV/AIDS or a combination of these diseases. Yet with prevention and appropriate treatment it is possible to save millions of lives, as the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria has shown for several years now. Millions of people that have resumed fully productive lives, in their families, communities and in the economy of their countries.

The HERE I AM campaign aims at at sensitizing and increasing political support from donor countries for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria by bringing closer human stories from the field and demonstrating the impacts of the Global Fund on the ground. Ultimately, the campaign aims for broad-based political support and to translate this into a greater contribution to the fund in the Replenishment Conference that will take place in New York City in October this year and will be hosted by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.

HERE I AM is supported and coordinated by International Civil Society Support (ICSS) and the broader international network of civil society advocating for the Global Fund, including in developing countries. HERE I AM campaign brings the disease to life by telling the stories of the people affected. It brings the stories from the field into the political discourse and demonstrates the impact of the work of the Global Fund on the people it reaches. The aim is to raise awareness and promote dialogue among decision makers.

The campaign is spearheaded by a selected group of ambassadors from around the world, (affected by HIV/AIDS, TB or Malaria) that are receiving or have received treatment thanks to Global Fund funds. These campaign ambassadors are now living healthier and productive lives due to treatment. It tells their stories in their own surroundings and demonstrates the impact of the work of the Global Fund on their personal lives. ”Here they are” – living their full potential as engaged individuals, family members and citizens. The pictures and stories will be exhibited and shared at various international events and are at the disposal to international and national advocates to make responsible use of them to promote and support the objectives of the campaign. Starting at the G8/G20 summit in Canada in June and later on this year: the MDG Hearings, International AIDS Conference, MDG Summit and Global Fund Replenishment meeting, the ambassadors will be invited to tell their stories personally at these events.

The campaign is also largely driven by the stories that anyone around the world will be able to post in the website of the campaign: www.hereiamcampaign.org. The website is available in English, Spanish and French and soon in Russian.