Contacts: In Washington: Herbert Boh 202 473 3548 hboh@worldbank.org In Rwanda: Kayihura Rogers (250) 591303 rkayihura@worldbank.org WASHINGTON, February 1, 2007 - The World Bank Board of Executive Directors today approved a US$10 million additional financing grant for the Rwanda Multi-Sectoral HIV/AIDS Project which is part of the Multi-Country Action Program against HIV/AIDS in Africa (MAP). The grant will assist the Government in consolidating the gains from the initial investments, focusing on interventions with the most significant impact with regard to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care. The proposed grant builds on the achievements of the original IDA grant of US$30.5 million which was disbursed two years ahead of schedule with strong results on the ground. The additional financing will reinforce prevention activities in priority sectors, support the decentralization and integration of AIDS care and treatment in the former MAP provinces and plan for their sustainability. It will also respond to the unmet demand of civil society groups to fund school fees and income generating activities with an increased focus on microfinance to enhance sustainability, put in place capacities in the newly established districts, and consolidate support for institutional strengthening for key coordinating bodies. These priority activities are consistent with the recently revised National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan and take into account the availability of funding from other development partners in an effort to harmonize and align support. “The Government of Rwanda has made important strides in scaling up access to HIV/AIDS services, improving coverage, and removing financial barriers for the poor. HIV messages have been effectively combined with poverty reduction strategies and innovations in service delivery and the management of drugs and human resources have been widely introduced. The MAP has been an integral part of this effort, empowering beneficiaries to find their own solutions and channeling funds directly to them,” said Miriam Schneidman, World Bank Senior Health Specialist and MAP Task Team Leader. The main expected outcomes by project completion are: (i) an additional 250,000 persons tested nationwide or a cumulative number of roughly 700,000; (ii) another 3.0 million condoms distributed to target groups or a total of 15 million; (iii) a cumulative number of 5,000 patients on ARV therapy; (iv) a cumulative number of 27,000 Orphan Vulnerable Children benefiting from payment of school fees; and (v) an additional 580 sub-projects financed for grass root associations, raising the total to over 1200. ### For more information on the World Bank’s work in sub-Saharan Africa visit: http://www.worldbank.org/afr For more information on the World Bank’s work in Rwanda visit: http://www.worldbank.org/afr/Rwanda For more information about this project visit: http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=368651&menuPK=368755&Projectid=P104189 |
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