PartnersGF - 2004-11-22 

Interview with Maria Aurora dos Reis
PartnersGF eForum Resource Team
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Postings from Arusha (2)
November 19, 2004

Arusha - PartnersGF recently interviewed Ms. Maria Aurora dos Reis, National Director of the Christian Children’s Fund and Vice-Chairperson of the CCM of the newest country in the world, Timor-Leste. Maria attended the Board Meeting in Arusha as a member of the South East Asia delegation. Excerpts follow:

PartnersGF: The Board has just decided to launch Round Five; a victory or compromise for the Global Fund?

Maria: The NGO and constituency delegations had strongly lobbied for the call [for Round Five] to be made as soon as possible. We are happy with the Board’s decision; if the call had not been made, it would have been very difficult for the Fund. Because the Board managed to have the call made at this time, the position of those of us who work on the ground has been strengthened, and the thousands of people who are receiving treatment know there is some guarantee that they will continue to receive medication.


PartnersGF: Are you worried about the possible delays in disbursal of funds?

Maria: All the constituents were prepared for only one call in 2005, and while we would of course prefer to have the disbursal as soon as possible, I do not think that a few months’ delay needs to compromise the work at country level.


PartnersGF: You are the vice-chair of your country’s CCM; what do you see as the biggest role for community-based organizations and NGOs in the decision-making processes?

Maria: In our country, civil society is well represented. We are happy with our participation so far; but of course, there is always room for improvement. For instance, we do not yet have PLHA groups represented as HIV/AIDS is still heavily stigmatized and people are afraid to disclose that they are positive. However, we will continue to try to involve affected people in the decision-making process.


PartnersGF: What is your view on the current discussions around establishing minimum requirements for the representation of affected communities on CCMs?

Maria: In my personal opinion, the affected communities are the reason why the Global Fund is there; if it were not for them, the Fund wouldn’t exist. They very clearly need to be represented, as there is no meaning in having CCMs without the participation of the people who are living with the diseases. I am very pleased with the Board’s decision [passed today] that there should be a minimum requirement for Round 5.


PartnersGF: Is the Fund doing business differently than other funding mechanisms?

Maria: Yes, we find that the Fund disperses money faster and more efficiently. Also, the CCM structure allows for different views to be reflected. In our case, the fact that the government does not heavily dominate our CCM really helps. Although the Ministry of Health is the Principle Recipient, it does not do all the work itself and it is able to share tasks with NGOs and CBOs who are often more efficient and can get the job done faster as the money is coming in from the Ministry. Of course, Timor-Leste being a small and very new country, we are still learning but we have not found many obstacles to implementing the funded projects. Another big advantage is that Global Fund programs are country-owned and country-led; we really feel that the CCM owns the programs it has designed.


PartnersGF: Do you find that there is some tension between the ideals of country-owned programs and the Global Fund’s obligation to monitor the disbursal of its fund, and ensure accountability and participation among CCMs?

Maria: The Fund is working with donors’ money, and as such, needs to show what has been done with the funds that it disperses. They need to show the impact of the work if they are to continue receiving donor support. I see this as a needed collaboration between CCMs and the Global Fund whereby both are concerned with accounting for disbursed funds. I do not think it necessarily needs to affect the country-ownership of the projects.


PartnersGF: Do you find an added value to the existence of the CCM structure, above and beyond channeling Global Fund money?

Maria: I honestly do not know what we would do if we were to not receive any more Global Fund money. However, I think we have all benefited from the existence of the CCM structure and getting in the habit of having open debate and coordination, as well as the collaboration between civil society and the government. What I see as one possible outcome of the CCM structure is having it graduate to something of a health network, using the resources we already have on the ground.


PartnersGF eForum Resource Team
Email: partnersgf@eforums.healthdev.org