17th July, 2007, Djibouti. A joint African Development Bank/World Bank mission, led by Dr. Mohamed M, Youssouf, visited Djibouti and Kenya from 13 to 29 July 2007 to identify possible areas for the ADF support to the IGAD's Regional HIV/aids Partnership Program (IRAPP). The mission worked closely with the staff of the Secretariat of the Inter Government Development Agency (IGAD) and from other major partners The mission also met the Hon. Ministers of Health in Djibouti as well as representatives of several donor agencies associated with HIV/AIDS control in the IGAD member countries. senior government officials and development partners associated with the IGAD's Regional HIV/aids Partnership Program (IRAPP). The mission was gratified by the political commitment of the government of Djibouti in addressing the regional challenges of HIV/AIDS, in particular addressing vulnerable groups in the cross-border areas. On Thursday 19th July, the mission will proceed to Nairobi, Kenya to meet with senior government officials and all major partners such as the UNCHR, Bilateral Agencies and major NGOs associated with the IGAD's Regional HIV/aids Partnership Program (IRAPP).
Discussions during the different working sessions focus on ADF's possible support to critical program activities such as (i) interventions targeting refugees, IDPs, and cross-border and mobile populations; (ii) cross-border collaboration on the health-sector response to HIV/AIDS; iii) strengthen IGAD member countries' capacity to coordinate a regional response to HIV/AIDS by ensuring increased collaboration ; iii) mobilizing resources for the sustenance of the IGAD Regional HIV/AIDS Partnership Program (IRAPP); and iv) the strategic orientations of activities for possible Bank financing. It is anticipated that by mid next year (2008), the African Development Bank will provide a grant of approximately USD$ 14.5 million to support the Program.