Last week, a number of governments renewed their support for the Global Financing Facility - a financing mechanism for women and girls' healthcare which we know saves lives. In Ethiopia alone, it helped cut maternal mortality by a third in just five years. This is a crucial moment for the UK to step up, show leadership and help protect the health gains we cannot afford to lose. 

The world was underprepared to respond to epidemics and maintain essential health services. This led to the 13 November launch of the Pandemic Fund.