The United Nations Development Programme, which is helping Liberia transition after 14 years of armed conflict, on Thursday announced it will manage the country's $24.3 million grant from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, according to a UNDP release. UNDP has created a system that will process requests for the funding in a "speedy and transparent manner," according to interim UNDP Country Director Elizabeth Oduor-Noah. UNDP plans to allocate $12.14 million for malaria, $7.65 million for HIV/AIDS and $4.53 million for TB over the next two years. The Liberia Coordinating Mechanism, which consists of government agencies, U.N. agencies, donors and nongovernmental organizations, and is chaired by Liberian Health Minister Peter Coleman, will implement the treatment and support programs funded by the grant. UNDP Resident Representative Abou Moussa said that all parties must work to ensure that the funds are spent efficiently and properly, adding, "We owe it to the Global Fund, but moreover we owe it to the Liberian people, to those who are suffering at this very moment and to those who may suffer in the future." Oduor-Noah said, "If we don't ensure operational efficiency, we will all fail" (UNDP release, 6/17).

Back to other news for June 21, 2004

Search the Newsroom archive