08-12-2016, Addis Ababa: The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) this morning opened a Consultative Meeting on the implementation of a grant from the Global Fund against HIV and Tuberculosis in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The fund granted by the Global Fund is aimed at implementing interventions that will contribute to the reduction of HIV and Tuberculosis related mortality and morbidity in selected refugee camps in the IGAD region.
This Consultative Meeting on the Global Fund HIV/TB Grant Implementation is gathering delegates from IGAD Member States Ministries and institutions in charge of Health, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), IGAD staff members, and partners and stakeholders.
The objectives of this two day meeting are to orient the sub-recipients and the primary implementers of the project in the concerned refugee camps, and also to re-organise the existing coordination mechanism according to the current project and approve the Terms of Reference for the Coordination Mechanism in question.
“We are coming together again, to draw from our experience and wisdom to consult and agree on ways and means how to approach implementation of our new joint collaboration project”, said Mr Elsadig Abdalla, Director of the Economic and Social Development Division, as he was speaking for the Executive Secretary of IGAD during the opening ceremony. He also reminded the audience about the vast experience IGAD has in the area of HIV that was gained during the eight years the multi-million IGAD Regional Partnership Project in combating HIV AIDS (IRAPP) was being implemented.
During her opening remarks, the Programme Manager of Health and Social Development-IGAD, Ms Fathia Alwan, recalled that IGAD “had submitted a regional HIV/TB concept note to the Global Fund early 2016” and was granted 10 million USD as the Principal Recipient during a signing ceremony held on October 1st, 2016.
It should be noted that the UNHCR, Ethiopian NGO Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs (ARRA), and the Kenya Red cross Society are sub-recipients while primary health implementers at country level are IGAD MS ministries and institutions in charge of health affairs.
Mr. Njogu, Nairobi based Senior HIV/Reproductive Health Officer, spoke for UNHCR before Dr. Eyerusalem Negussie in charge of the National TB Programme at the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia declared the meeting open.###