COVID-19 Response Mechanism

As we finalize the details of the C19RM application modalities and requirements with the Global Fund Board, we would like to give you some information regarding timelines, to help CCMs start preparing funding requests. The activities to be funded remain the same as in 2020: 

·         interventions to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on HIV, TB and malaria disease programs, 

·         actions to reinforce the response to COVID-19 and 

·         initiatives to make urgent improvements in health and community systems, including laboratory networks, supply chains and engagement with vulnerable communities. 

We currently anticipate that there could be two tracks to apply: 

·         a fast-track approach for COVID-19 for urgent needs in PPE, diagnostics and therapeutics such as oxygen. 

·         two submission windows. 

If confirmed, the fast-track approach will start as soon as 1 April, and the two submission windows will be scheduled for end of May and end of June 2021.

As in the first phase of C19RM, CCMs need to ensure adequate consultation and inclusive decision-making in the process of developing and submitting funding requests. Effective community and civil society engagement remain crucial for developing a robust response to the pandemic, including opportunities to support community-led initiatives, both to mitigate the impact on HIV, TB and malaria services, and to strengthen the national COVID-19 response. CCM funding can be used to facilitate inclusive dialogue, particularly to ensure community engagement and of those institutions leading the national response.

Other Updates

Scaling-up Oxygen Demand in COVID-19 Requests

In an effort to rapidly scale-up oxygen provision to countries to treat severe COVID-19 cases, the Global Fund is working with the World Bank and ACT-A partners to encourage implementing countries to include oxygen in upcoming funding requests.

The Global Fund has funded oxygen requests during 2020 and expects to continue to do so once C19RM is replenished and funding allocated to implementing countries, including through its fast-track approach.

We encourage applicants to include oxygen in their future C19RM funding requests to the Global Fund, and to continue using World Bank loans for this purpose. Oxygen requests should be planned holistically and, ideally, be defined through country needs assessments based on WHO guidelines and performed by country implementation partners. Oxygen requests should also be packaged with other COVID-19 treatment needs, particularly corticosteroids and low-dose anticoagulants.

We will continue working to ensure demonstrated oxygen procurement needs are funded in a coordinated manner with the World Bank, WHO and other donor and technical partners.

For more information, please visit the Global Fund’s COVID-19 Treatment and Oxygen Equipment webpage.

Finance Updates

Update on Staff Salaries under Global Fund Grants

CCMs, PRs and SRs are reminded that according to the Global Fund Guidelines for Grant Budgeting (2019), the payment of salary kickbacks is prohibited in Global Fund grants. Salary kickbacks include those that require staff working on programs - in this case supported by Global Fund grants - to contribute their salaries to the operational costs of an organization or pay back a portion of their salaries in cash back to the organization that hired them.

This practice is prohibited as stated in paragraph 196 and paragraph 233 of the above-mentioned guidelines and constitute a non-compliant expenditure. Should any such clause be part of a contract of staff under a Global Fund grant, the entity issuing the contract must remove such clause immediately.

Please feel free to forward this update to Principal Recipients, sub-recipients and other relevant in-country partners involved in Global Fund-related processes.