June 09, 2011 - Anglo American leads business community with pledge to the UK Matching Fund for Immunisation to support GAVI

Anglo American is the first UK plc to participate in the GAVI Matching Fund for Immunisation, launched today by the International Development Secretary, Andrew Mitchell and the Chancellor, George Osborne. The UK Government has also committed to matching funds raised from Anglo American employees and suppliers as part of the initiative.

Cynthia Carroll, Chief Executive of Anglo American, commented:

“Anglo American is delighted to announce its commitment of $1 million a year for three years to the UK Government led Matching Fund initiative for GAVI. We hope that our action will encourage a similar level of support for GAVI from other large companies in the UK and around the world. We are also actively encouraging our employees and suppliers to participate in this important initiative.

“With approximately 95% of our operations in developing countries, Anglo American has a deep appreciation of the vital role health plays in ensuring human development and promoting economic growth.”

Anglo American strongly believes that a collective and innovative response is required from business in order to have a meaningful impact on improving access to healthcare in developing countries. At the G20 Business Summit in Seoul in November 2010, Anglo American announced a $3 million pledge over three years to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (The Global Fund) and called on businesses around the world to do the same.

“The scale of the burden of disease in developing countries demands a coordinated response between governments, the private sector and civil society. Anglo American is committed to supporting innovative health financing partnerships like GAVI and the Global Fund, which are tackling these significant healthcare challenges with extraordinary success,” Cynthia Carroll said.

Dr Brian Brink, Chief Medical Officer, Anglo American, based in South Africa, commented:

“Since 2000, GAVI funded vaccines have immunised 288 million children and prevented more than 5 million deaths.  Global Fund sponsored programs have saved 6.5 million lives and provided access to treatment for more than 3 million AIDS patients and 7.7 million Tuberculosis patients.  Malaria may be eliminated as a public health problem by 2015, largely as a result of Global Fund investments.  By supporting both these institutions, Anglo American is a leading business contributor to improving health in countries with the greatest need.

“Despite these remarkable achievements, funding shortfalls remain. We urge the private sector to recognise the importance of investing in health in developing countries; there are significant long-term business benefits in terms of economic growth and development.  For Anglo American, improving access to healthcare is an important part of our sustainable development programme, which aims to make a real and lasting difference in the communities where our mines operate.”