Exactly a year after it committed US $100 million to Myanmar, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, on August 19, 2005, decided to withdraw from the country, citing travel restrictions. The decision by the Fund, which manages the monies raised by governments, business and private organisations, has been widely criticised. Myanmar has over 600,000 HIV/AIDS patients and one of the highest rates of TB in the world.
The Fund has so far disbursed nearly US $12 million in the country. Critics accuse the US, a major Fund contributor and a staunch critic of Myanmar's military junta, for triggering the move. Also, the junta government, in July 2005, imposed new travel curbs on UN staff over-seeing Fund programmes and put bureaucratic hurdles on medical supply procurements. "...you can't work...effectively if you can't even travel around to watch what you are doing," said Global Fund spokesperson Jon Liden.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.