24
January 2003
SEVEN
COUNTRIES TO RECEIVE $108 MILLION TO FIGHT AIDS, TB
AND MALARIA.
Fund Announces Signing Of New Grant Agreements.
Geneva,
Switzerland - The Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis
and Malaria today announced the signings of agreements to
fund AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria programs in seven countries
critically affected by these diseases. Grant agreements have
been signed with China, Honduras, Laos, Malawi, Morocco,
Panama and Sri Lanka totaling more than $108 million. These
agreements are part of the round one proposals approved by
the Board of the Fund, which commit $616 million over
the next two years.
Richard Feachem, Executive Director of the Fund, said, "These
signings demonstrate that the systems of the Fund
are up and running. This is a strong start to 2003 as we
take the Fund from operation to achievement, delivering to
communities all over the world and supporting the common
fight against these three deadly diseases."
Susan Chong from the Asia Pacific Council of AIDS Service
Organizations Secretariat in Kuala Lumpur, said of the Laos
and China agreements, "I am pleased that money is going to
countries in the Asia Pacific region, because the epidemic
is accelerating at such a fast pace here and we have to catch
it soon."
Ricardo Maduro, President of the Republic of Honduras, said, "Today
we are fulfilling our people's mandate. AIDS is a world reality."
Mr. Touhami Khiari, Minister of Health, The Kingdom of Morocco,
said, "The commitment of the Fund for my country encourages
us in the fight against this fearsome plague."
With these latest signings:
- China's
malaria and tuberculosis programs are to be intensified
with the help of a $28.9 million award.
- Honduras'
efforts to sustain its fight against AIDS, TB and malaria
are receiving a $20.5 million boost.
- Malawi
is to upscale its HIV/AIDS response through the Fund's
grant of $41.8 million.
- Morocco's
proposal to reinforce its national HIV/AIDS efforts
is to benefit from a $4.7 million agreement with the
Fund.
- Sri
Lanka's plans to intensify its TB and malaria programs
are helped by $7.9 million from the Fund.
- Panama's
campaign to curb the spread of tuberculosis is strengthened
by US$ 440,000.
- The
Lao People's Democratic Republic will receive
Fund support for its HIV and malaria action plans to
the sum of $4.5 million.
Along with previously signed agreements with Ghana, Tanzania
and Haiti, these latest proposals bring the Fund commitments
to date to over $150 million. Announcements of more
Fund grant agreement signings are expected over the next
few days amounting to a further $100 million.
# # #
The
Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria is an independent,
public-private partnership established in 2002 that is
working to attract significant new resources to fight
AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, and then to innovatively
manage and disburse these funds to effective prevention
and treatment programs in countries with greatest need.
Press enquiries should be directed to Robert Bourgoing
(Communications Officer) - Tel. +41 (0)22 791.1714 Email: robert.bourgoing@theglobalfund.org
