Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis ... - libdoc.who.int

118Annual Report on Lymphatic Filariasis 2003Chapter 4 Financial aspects• initiation of action plans for the elimination of LF inendemic countries;• production of a training module on home-based preventionof disability;• support for the implementation of national LF eliminationprogrammes.BILL AND MELINDA GATESFOUNDATIONIn November 2000, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundationmade a generous contribution of US$ 20 milliontowards the elimination of LF. Funds are held pendingdisbursement from a trust fund through the World Bank.The organizations that benefited from the grant are: theAtlanta Group (the Emory LF Support Center, CDC andthe Carter Center), the Liverpool LF Support Centre, thenongovernmental development organizations group ledby Interchurch Medical Assistance, and WHO. Collectively,this group formed the Gates Grant Review Committeeand agreed to the following strategic outline forthe application of the grant:• to develop demonstration projects that show interruptionof LF transmission; to move towards nationallevelMDA coverage; to develop, implement, andevaluate disability prevention strategies; and toevaluate cost-effectiveness of national eliminationprogrammes;• to ensure national momentum by providing supportto countries for mapping and scaling up the implementationof national elimination programmes;• to ensure global momentum through a developmentstrategy covering regionalization, an increase in thenumber of partners, and advocacy to bring aboutadditional funding and support;• to evaluate and monitor demonstration projects,national elimination programmes and partnershipdevelopment.AUSTRALIAN AGENCY FORINTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTThe Australian Agency for International Development(AusAID) manages the Australian Government’s officialoverseas aid programme. The objective of the programmeis to advance Australia’s national interest byhelping developing countries to reduce poverty andachieve sustainable development.In 2003, as a result of funding from AusAID for GPELF,WHO accomplished the following:• purchased 24.2 million DEC tablets of 100 mg forBangladesh;• partnered James Cook University, Australia, todevelop a rapid diagnostic kit;• conducted monitoring and evaluation in the Philippines;• participated in the Mekong-Plus PRG to offer technicalassistance and conduct a mapping workshop;• conducted mapping of LF in Cambodia.