U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Vienna Vienna, Austria June 13, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
U.S. Helps Bridge Gaps in Cancer Care with $7.5 Million Allocation to the IAEA’s “Rays of Hope” Initiative
The U.S. Department of State and Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) are allocating an additional $7.5 million in funding to help establish radiotherapy services in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This contribution is on top of the $5 million the United States provided last year.
The United States is pleased to support the IAEA’s “Rays of Hope” initiative, which aims to close the gap in cancer care, beginning in Africa, where many countries lack or have insufficient facilities for radiation treatment. Over 70% of cancer deaths occur in LMICs and only 5% of global spending on cancer goes to these same countries. U.S. funding will expand access to cancer treatment services, required for over half of all cancer patients, to those countries most in need.
This $7.5 million is part of a larger effort by the United States to improve the lives of people throughout the world by funding projects that further the peaceful uses of nuclear technologies through the IAEA. By supporting the IAEA’s work on cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, the U.S. contribution will help reduce cancer deaths and save millions of lives from this devastating disease.
More information on the IAEA and on technical cooperation issues under https://www.iaea.org/services/technical-cooperation-programme
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