Zimbabwe Bemoans Latest Rejection By Global Fund On AIDS Funds
Disparities in awards and distribution of funds have led some to charge that the Global Fund is politically biased - an accusation the 
Zimbabwean officials and AIDS activists are expressing disappointment that the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in its latest round of grants rejected yet another of the country's proposals seeking funds to combat the deadly diseases. Zimbabwe has been awarded US$46 million in two previous Global Fund rounds, but to date has received only about US$4 million for HIV-AIDS programs. Other regional nations including Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland and Zambia have been granted some $359 million and received US$173 million. The disparity in grant awards and distribution, and previous rejections of Zimbabwe’s proposals, have led some to allege political bias on the part of the Global Fund. But Fund spokesman John Liden said Zimbabwe is not alone in seeing its applications rejected. He invited it to appeal the decision or submit another application in 2007. Canadian-based AIDS activist Believe Dhliwayo, a member of the Global Fund country coordinating mechanism for Zimbabwe before going abroad, said the Fund decision disheartened him. But he acknowledged that despite Zimbabwe's progress in reducing the rate of HIV prevalence, its human rights record and political alienation from the West leave it vulnerable to such negative outcomes. He noted in addition that Harare's proposal failed to address the critical element of community and grass roots needs. .