World Bank to Consider Granting No-Interest Loans to Aid African Nations Fighting HIV/AIDS
The World Bank announced yesterday that it will consider granting $500 million in no-interest loans to help developing countries in Africa fight HIV/AIDS, the AP/Worcester Telegram & Gazette reports (AP/Worcester Telegram & Gazette, 11/28). The possible new funding was announced as the World Bank appointed Debrework Zewdie as its first global HIV/AIDS adviser (Agence France-Presse, 11/28). The World Bank's International Development Association last year approved $500 million in funding for its Multi-Country HIV/AIDS Program for Africa (MAP) (IDA Web site, 11/28). Under the first stage of that program, $500 million over three years was allocated to 10 African countries (World Bank release, 11/27). However, Zewdie said that after the approval of that program, many more African countries sought financial aid for fighting HIV/AIDS. She said that the World Bank in January will consider a request for an additional $500 million in no-interest loans (Agence France-Presse, 11/28). Twenty African nations have asked to be included in the project in addition to the original 10 (World Bank release, 11/27). Zewdie said that the focus of new anti-AIDS efforts would first be prevention, and then treatment. The World Bank also wants to expand its existing program from the medical field to other areas such as education and social programs (Agence France-Presse, 11/28).
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