Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of parasitic and bacterial infectious diseases that affect more than 1.7 billion of the world’s most impoverished people, including 1 billion children. Over 40% of the global burden of NTDs is concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa, where The END Fund focuses the majority of its work.
The END Fund focuses on delivering treatments for NTDs to those in need, by growing and engaging a community of activist-philanthropists, managing high-impact strategic investments, and working in collaboration with government, NGO, pharmaceutical, and academic partners. The END Fund team aims to take a systems approach to understanding, engaging with, and influencing the broad ecosystem of stakeholders working on ending NTDs.
Studies show that treatment of NTDs is the single most cost-effective means of improving children’s school attendance and increasing their capacity to learn and concentrate in school. Just $0.50 USD funds a rapid-impact package of medication to treat an individual for the five most common NTDs, making it a “best buy” in public health.
The END Fund’s unique model enables its team to act quickly and effectively, with a proven ability to leverage efficiencies of the private sector and foster strong partnerships. The END Fund can mobilize resources from a diverse range of investors and direct them to partners who can deliver them where they will have the most impact. These strategic investments will help end the most prevalent NTDs by 2030.
