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coordinating mechanism in Zimbabwe, Mr Perry Mwangala from the GFATM’s grant management division said the initial US$311 million would be signed by June 2013.
Programmes to be funded by this grant are expected to start in January next year.
Mr Mwangala said the remaining US$244, which has been approved would be signed provided the GFATM mobilises enough resources it needs to continue assisting countries end the three diseases.
The Global Fund intends to raise US$15 billion.
“The Technical Review Panel recommended and the Grant Approval Committee (GAC) affirmed the full country expression of demand: US$555m with US$311m indicative plus existing amount for immediate grant signing by June 2013 and the remaining US$244 m as unfunded quality demand,” wrote Mr Mwangala.
He said in the meantime, the principal recipient, which is the UNDP, with support from partners should finalise the grant documents for the US$311m and send it for board approval by June 2013.
“We will soon send the full details of required clarifications from the GAC. We hope to share the full timeline for finalising the grant documents after consultation with the PR by midweek,” further wrote Mr Mwangala.
Zimbabwe had been invited to apply for US$245 million but applied for US$555 to cover the two year period.
Co-ordinator for the CCM secretariat in Zimbabwe Mr Rangarirai Chiteure said they have already started working on documents required by the Global Fund.
“We are very excited about this approval by the Global Fund.
“We hope funding meant for procurements will be availed before January because sometimes procurements take longer,” said Mr Chiteure.
He said the country has already started working on documents needed to support the application.
The Global Fund is one of Zimbabwe’s biggest funders of the anti-retroviral drug programme.
Online Reporter