Financing the expanded response for AIDS 2004

This UNAIDS report summarises the most recent data available on spending from all sources of AIDS programmes in low- and middle-income countries. Its purpose is to identify the magnitude of global resources available relative to the estimated resource needs. The report also reviews and compares the methodological approaches used to track HIV/AIDS expenditure at global and national levels, and identify gaps in HIV/AIDS financial information and present ways they can be addressed.

UNAIDS argues that, to strategically plan for an effective response to the AIDS pandemic, resource tracking estimates for HIV/AIDS are required. To get ahead of the epidemic, resources should be delivered where they are most needed, and they must be used more efficiently and effectively. Keeping systematic records of financial in- and out-flows is vitally important for planning purposes and programme scale-up in the low- and middle-income countries most affected by AIDS. Unfortunately, tracking AIDS resources is currently a low priority in most-affected areas, and is poorly developed, if performed at all. The report therefore calls for more reliable and ongoing information on the following areas: equity; allocative effectiveness; additionality; and misallocation/corruption. [adapted from author]