AIDS funds disbursement drops to $6.9b in 2010 – UN study

The amount of money available to fight HIV/AIDS around the world has dropped.

A United Nations report shows that funds from donor governments provided to fight AIDS in low and middle income countries have dropped by 10% in 2010.

The study, conducted by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the Kaiser Family Foundation in 15 countries, says donor governments disbursed $6.9 billion in 2010 for HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. In 2009 $7.64 billion was available.

“The study found that donor governments disbursed $ 6.9 billion in 2010 for HIV prevention, treatment, care and support—$740 million less than in 2009,” the two bodies said in a joint statement August 16, 2011.

Of the 15 governments surveyed, seven countries including Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United States—reported a year over year decrease in their disbursements as measured in their own currencies.

The overall drop in disbursements was primarily attributed to a reduction in disbursements by the US, the largest donor nation, which accounted for 54% of total donor disbursements in 2010, it noted.

Disbursement from the US government fell from $4.4 billion in 2009 to $3.7 billion in 2010.

“This slowdown stems from new requirements established by Congress for the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR),” the statement said adding that some funds appropriated in 2010 will be disbursed in later years.

According to the UNAIDS, to reach universal access goals towards HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, an investment of at least $22 billion will be needed by 2015.

By Ekow Quandzie