COVID-19 Response Mechanism

ABSTRACT The lessons learned by Burkina Faso from its process of applying for funding from the COVID-19 Response Mechanism were presented during a webinar organized by the Global Fund Francophone Africa Regional Platform in August 2021. The webinar aimed to: share the strengths of civil society involvement in the development of the C19RM funding request, particularly for the second phase in 2021; discuss the weaknesses of civil society involvement in preparing the C19RM application; assess quality in terms of mobilization and supervision of civil society organizations; and develop recommendations to improve this in similar processes in the immediate future.

ABSTRACT This article, the sixth in a series of several, highlights Kenya’s successes, challenges and lessons learned applying for and implementing COVID-19 funding from the Global Fund’s COVID-19 Response Mechanism. The Global Fund allocated Kenya a total of $37 million, spread out in three allocations, in 2020 and more than $100 million in the second phase, which started in July 2021. Kenya and other Global Fund recipient countries need to leverage the lessons learned in phase one to ensure a successful phase two.

RÉSUMÉ Le présent article, le quatrième d’une série, met en lumière les réussites, les défis et les leçons de l’Éthiopie dans le cadre de sa demande de financement de lutte contre la COVID-19 au titre du dispositif de riposte du Fonds mondial, ainsi que de la mise en œuvre des fonds accordés. L’Éthiopie a reçu 39,9 millions de dollars du Fonds mondial pour la première phase du dispositif C19RM, en 2020, et recevra plus de 100 millions de dollars au cours de la deuxième phase, qui a débuté en juillet 2021. L’Éthiopie et les autres pays bénéficiaires du Fonds mondial doivent mettre à profit les enseignements de la phase 1 afin de garantir la réussite de la phase 2.

ABSTRACT This article, the fourth in a series of several, highlights Ethiopia’s successes, challenges and lessons learned applying for and implementing COVID-19 funding from the Global Fund’s COVID-19 Response Mechanism. Ethiopia received $39.9 million from the Global Fund for the first phase in 2020 and will receive more than $100 million in the second phase, which started in July 2021. Ethiopia and other Global Fund recipient countries need to leverage the lessons learned in phase one to ensure a successful phase two.

RÉSUMÉ Une analyse récente réalisée par Aidspan a mis au jour des problèmes rencontrés par les pays lorsqu’ils sollicitent et dépensent des fonds au travers du dispositif de riposte à la COVID-19 (C19RM) du Fonds mondial. Les pays devraient s’appuyer sur leur expérience de mise en œuvre des activités de la phase 1 pour mieux se préparer à la mise en œuvre des subventions au cours de la phase 2 du C19RM, qui a débuté en avril 2021.

ABSTRACT A recent Aidspan analysis has uncovered issues affecting countries while applying for and spending funding awarded through the Global Fund’s COVID-19 Response Mechanism (C19RM). Countries should draw from their experiences implementing Phase 1 activities to prepare better to implement grants in Phase 2 of the C19RM, which started in April 2021.

ABSTRACT We correct an error in the article “The Global Fund’s COVID-19 emergency funding is running out” published in GFO 385 on 26 August 2020.

ABSTRACT The Global Fund availed $1 billion to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigate the impact of the pandemic on services for HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. This funding is running out; the Global Fund has deployed the initial $500 million availed through the COVID-19 Response Mechanism. However, countries are facing difficulties making use of the grant flexibilities. The Global Fund needs to promptly identify sources of additional funding to fight the pandemic and to protect gains made in the fight against the three diseases. It also needs to increase the transparency and accountability of COVID-19 emergency funding.

ABSTRACT The Global Fund Board recently established a COVID-19 Response Mechanism endowed with $500 million, adding to a previous $500 million in potential reprogramming flexibilities made available within existing Global Fund grants. Following the general overview given in the initial announcement, on April 22 the Global Fund published instructions on how to access the funding from the new mechanism, including application forms and detailed guidance for countries.

ABSTRACT The Global Fund’s Board will conduct its biannual meeting virtually for the first time in its almost 20-year history, due to global constraints and restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the draft meeting agenda, the meeting is scheduled to be shorter than usual – though some constituencies have called for an additional day in order to address more fully the impact of COVID-19.