Secondly, rapid agreement and disbursement of funds allows trust funds to channel the requests of specific donors in the context of specific international events or initiatives.5 6 Donors have explained that they earmark aid because it allows them to respond more quickly to emerging challenges.6 Most trust funds are able to disburse funds more rapidly22 than core IBRD/IDA funding mechanisms because they sidestep traditional bank administrative and operational processes. For example, unlike in core lending, the bank’s board of executive directors usually are not required to approve trust fund proposals.23 Such ability to harness political momentum has been crucial to start up many global health programmes targeting infectious diseases.4 19 20