A group of European donors plans to replace funding worth millions of dollars that Burma (Myanmar) is losing from the withdrawal of the UN-created Global Fund to fight disease, diplomats said Tuesday.
The European Union has suspended most of its aid to Burma as part of sanctions to try to force democratic reforms in the poor Asian country, but it makes exceptions for projects to improve the health of the countrys poorest people.
A UN official, said banning programs to fight the three diseases is a “death sentence” for many Burmese.
The new donor group initially includes the European Commission, Australia, Britain, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, but other countries could join, the diplomats said. The group has already held talks on the proposal with the Burmese government, the political opposition and civic groups, they said.
The UNDP, which manages the Global Funds money in Burma, has secured stopgap funding so that the existing programs can continue working until July, the UN official said. This is in hopes of allowing a smooth handover when the new donors take over.
Kilde: www.worldbank.org
