SOURCE: AF-AIDS is the regional forum on HIV/AIDS in Africa, coordinated by the Health & Development Networks Moderation Team (HDN, www.hdnet.org) with technical support from Health Systems Trust (HST) on behalf of the AF-AIDS Steering Committee (HST, HDN & SAfAIDS), with the support of the Government of Ireland. Reproduction welcomed provided source is cited as follows: AF-AIDS eForum 2003: af-aids@healthdev.net Only 23% of Global Fund allocations distributed By HDN Key Correspondent 13th ICASA, Nairobi, Kenya, 25 September 2003 ************************* At the Roundtable hosted by the UNDP on Monday, it was reported that of the US$50 million allocated to 53 countries in the first Round, only 23% has been distributed. Jerry van Nortick from the Fund reported that the money was being distributed based on results and progress in individual countries. John Stover of the Futures Group said that the need for resources was increasing globally. In 2003, the need was around US$5 billion and this is likely to rise to $15 billion by 2007. Sub-Saharan Africa requires US$2.7 billion in 2003 and this will increase to US$ 5.5 billion by 2007. Looking at the resources available, in 1996, $250 million was given and in 2002, $2400 million (50% of this was bi-lateral, 10% UN, 25% domestic). Of this amount, 50% of international resources went to Africa, 20% to the Asia-Pacific, and the balance to the rest of the world. Speakers agreed that a way forward would be for national governments to allocate at least 10% of funds officially to HIV/ AIDS and distribute a percentage of national budgets at the grassroots level. Flexible mechanisms to manage accountability at ground level was crucial. There should also be a system to recognise professionalism vs. money for actors at the grassroots. Lastly, countries and international institutions needed to manage and facilitate instead of being implementers. **************** HDN Key Correspondent Team To contact the HDN KC team during ICASA or to comment on the Conference coverage: info@hdnet.org = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = AF-AIDS is supporting the 13th ICASA in Nairobi, Kenya (Sept 21-26 2003) http://www.icasanairobi2003.org/ = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =