Board Decisions

GF/B42/EDP10

Approved by the Board on: 09 April 2020


Operational Flexibilities to Ensure Continued Operations during COVID-19

The Board acknowledges the severe negative impact COVID-19 is having on country health systems and Global Fund programs to fight the three diseases. The Board agrees with the need for temporary flexibilities to ensure the continued delivery of the Global Fund’s core mission during a prolonged period of disruption.

Based on the recommendation of the Secretariat, as presented in GF/B42/ER09 – Revision 1, the Board approves the following:

  1. In order to account for delays in the supply chain due to COVID-19 disruptions, the Secretariat may allow additional flexibility for the deadline for delivery of goods and services under Global Fund programs to be funded from the 2017-2019 allocation period, up to a maximum of 180 days after the implementation period end date;
  2. In order to ensure swift deployment of portfolio optimization funds, the Secretariat may approve the increase of grant amounts to integrate awards of portfolio optimization funds approved by the Secretariat in line with the Strategy Committee-approved prioritization framework, where such funds have been approved as available by the AFC, with subsequent reporting to the Board; and
  3. In order to mitigate risks of disruption to the supply of health products in-country, the Secretariat may grant limited exceptions to the Quality Assurance Policies, to waive the requirement for pre-shipment sampling and testing for Expert Review Panel-approved products, vector control products, and condoms, where such testing may delay the delivery of products to countries.

The Secretariat may apply the temporary flexibilities described in paragraphs 2 and 3 above for an initial six-month period, subject to renewal by the Board. The Secretariat may apply the flexibility described in paragraph 1 through 30 June 2021.


Budgetary Implications

The cost of implementing these decisions will be absorbed within the current 2020 OPEX budget.

Notes

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