Unaids
For some countries – particularly the lower income countries with higher prevalence rates – the challenge is to source sufficient funds to cover the full range of needed programmes. In most cases, these are the same countries that receive significant financial support from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the largest source of external funding in the region61. It is important to note that three countries in the region are also donors to the Global Fund. Since 2003, Kuwait has donated $3 million; Saudi Arabia donated $28 million. In 2011, Tunisia donated $2 million. There is an inextricable link between financial and technical resources. Without sufficient financial resources, it is difficult for countries to develop and/or acquire the necessary technical expertise to improve their response to HIV. Although donor organizations and agencies have some interest in capacity development, the responsibility is increasingly falling to the countries directly. The challenge facing programme implementers in government and civil society is to demonstrate to decision-makers the many benefits of direct investment in improving technical capacity, including, for example, the ability to develop and implement an evidence-informed response; the ability to deploy financial resources more efficiently and cost-effectively; and the ability to leverage technical skills (e.g. surveillance) in all areas related to the HIV response.
61
Through Round 10, Global Fund grant portfolios in the region total $397 367 504
91
Countries should invest more in improving technical capacities for cost-effective HIV responses.