- Zimbabwean government has repaid US $7.3 million unspent money, which was geared at fighting diseases, Global Fund said today.
International aid agency had accused Zimbabwean government of misusing $7.3 million out of $12.3 million it deposited into Zimbabwe's Reserve Bank last year for distribution of medicines.
"We expect that this signals a more effective way of working in Zimbabwe, accelerating delivery of interventions against three diseases in the country," Global Fund's executive director Michel Kazatchkine said.
The bank acted a day before, Global Fund to Fights AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, was to decide on $188 million in new grants for Zimbabwe.
The fund's inspector general has insisted on new safeguards on donations, against reports in the state media, where Reserve Bank governor, Gideon Gono, did not explain where the money went.
The money was intended to train thousands of health workers to distribute malaria cure, medicine that is said to be already available but sits on shelves, according to reports.
Zimbabwe has one of the world's worst AIDS epidemic, a collapsing health infrastructure and a growing hunger crisis.
Mr Mugabe, who has been in power since independence from Britain in 1980, blames Western sanctions against his government for his country's extreme economic crisis. But, critics point to corruption and mismanagement under his increasingly autocratic leadership.
Other aid groups have also reported difficulties assessing their own funds once they are deposited in Zimbabwe's central bank. They, like Zimbabwean businesses and ordinary residents, are subject to limits on cash withdrawals and shortages of Zimbabwean dollar as the economy collapsed.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe issued three new denominations of banknotes on Wednesday, including a one-million dollar note, about two US dollars on the black market, as impoverished country struggles to cope with hyperinflation.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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