Myanmar NGOs to Receive Support From Three Diseases Fund

Myanmar's Three Diseases Fund -- which was launched in 2006 to compensate for grants that were suspended by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria -- has provided nine non-governmental organizations with a total of $630,000 for this year, Xinhuanet reports. The funds will go toward a one-year project in states and divisions across the country. The fund -- which is worth about $100 million -- is funded by the European Commission, Sweden's development agency Sida, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom's Department for International Development, Norway and Australia's AusAID, according to Xinhuanet.

UNAIDS data indicate that the number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the country has decreased from 300,000 in 2001 to 240,000 in 2007. According to Xinhuanet, the government's efforts against malaria have included the annual distribution of 50,000 long-lasting insecticide-treated nets in rural areas since 2000. The country also has maintained up to 400,000 existing ITNs since 2000 (Xinhuanet, 1/26).

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