World Bank Commits $1 Billion To Fight AIDS in Africa
The World Bank yesterday announced plans to commit $1 billion to help fight AIDS in Africa, Reuters reports. Much of the money will be distributed as grants. According to Callisto Madavo, vice president for Africa at the World Bank, "We have significantly upped our commitment to fighting AIDS in Africa." In the past, the World Bank has offered loans to African nations, but according to many African leaders, the nations most affected by AIDS "were far too poor" to afford the loans. Mandavo said African nations that "got loans earlier and are putting in new requests, such as Kenya and Ethiopia, will receive grants." Madavo added that the World Bank has partnered with African community and non-governmental organizations to fight AIDS, which "is decimating the cream of African professionals faster than replacements can be trained," Reuters reports. Analysts estimate that African nations each must spend millions of dollars for HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness campaigns, as well as health care (Esipisu, Reuters, 10/20).
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