The Deputy Executive Secretary of the Rwanda National Aids Commission Mr. Semukanya Antoine told representatives of several organizations that the “rules have changed meaning funds will only be given to performers”.
The organizations signed up for portions of the $700,000 funding from the UN population agency – UNFPA – in an agreement that has seen the grant channeled through the commission.
“Sometimes we visit upcountry and people ask us what so many of these organizations do. That is no more. Funding will only go to groups with tangible programs”, said Mr. Semukanya.
“The system has now changed and all funding will be through CNLS because it the authority that oversees the fight against HIV/Aids in the country.”
The shift in funding mechanisms is just part of the wider government policy requiring donor partners to align their resources to government programs by providing the moneys through its coffers.
A plan is also under way to have all non-profit associations of people living with HIV/AIDS to merge into cooperatives. "It is through cooperatives and not non-profit associations that people living with HIV/AIDS will be able to effectively gain from our support," Mr. Semukanya told stakeholders last month.
The national campaign against HIV/AIDS, malaria and Tuberculosis (TB) last month received over a 63m US dollars (approx 35bn Rwandan francs) grant from the Global Fund for the next two years. (End)