The 3MDG Fund has put out a press release on the budget slash by Australia. And Myanmar Times has picked up the story. Interesting that the 3MDG Fund 'declined to comment' when contacted by Myanmar Times.

Does this mean the 3MDG Fund will build fewer, say 13 fewer, health centres?

It is remarkable that Australia still chairs the 3MDG Fund board.

Jamie

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Australia drains health fund’s budget
Shwe Yee Saw Myint
Myanmar Times
Thursday, 28 May 2015

Australia has pulled the plug on contributions to the Three Millennium Development Goal Fund, emptying the health consortium of tens of millions of dollars amid the largest single slashing of the country’s foreign aid budget in history.

Australia, the second-largest contributor to the fund and the chair of the board, is pulling out US$42 million of pledged aid to the group, resulting in a 13 percent cut of the total budget, according to a statement released by the 3MDG Fund yesterday.

“The decision means the total amount of funds committed to the 3MDG Fund stands at approximately USD$292 million, compared to the previous figure of USD$334 million,” the statement said.

The 3MDG declined to comment about the loss of funding yesterday, but said in their statement that the drastic cut will have “no immediate impact” on current programs, which focus on child and maternal health as well as combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.

“The implications for future programming and spending are currently being considered by the 3MDG Fund Board and the Ministry of Health,” the statement said.

The reduction of the Australian overseas aid budget this year is the biggest single drop in the history of the country’s foreign assistance. While Australia’s overall budget actually grew by more than 13 percent, the foreign aid fell by over 30 percent.

Few countries were left unscathed by the multi-billion drop, but Africa, with an 80 percent overall decline in funding, and Southeast and East Asia, with a 40pc drop, received a particularly dire blow.

Cambodia, which signed a highly controversial refugee deal with Australia last year, is one of the only countries in the region that will continue to see a steady influx of aid.

http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/14714-australia-drains-health-fund-s-budget.html

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Funding to 3MDG
3MDG Fund press release
May 28, 2015

Australia has been a strong and generous supporter of the 3MDG Fund and its predecessor the Three Diseases Fund. The country is committed to the goals and continued success of the 3MDG Fund and is an engaged partner in supporting the Ministry of Health improve the health of the people of Myanmar.

On the 12 May the Australian Government announced cuts to its foreign aid budget. As a result, Australia will not be making a planned further contribution to the Three Millennium Development Goal Fund of approximately USD$42 million. Australia remains the second largest contributor to the Fund, having already provided US$48.2 million and remains the Chair of the 3MDG Fund Board.

The decision means the total amount of funds committed to the 3MDG Fund stands at approximately USD$292 million, compared to the previous figure of USD$334 million, a cut of 13 per cent.   The 3MDG Fund is the largest development fund in Myanmar and the reduction will have no immediate impact on already programmed grants and activities.  The implications for future programming and spending are currently being considered by the 3MDG Fund Board and the Ministry of Health. The Fund Board is committed to using funds effectively and to mobilizing the resources necessary to achieve the goals of the Fund.

The 3MDG Fund was established in 2012 to support the Ministry of Health’s plans to strengthen health systems and accelerate service delivery, particularly to the poorest and most vulnerable communities in Myanmar. It is supported by Australia, Denmark, the European Union, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and managed by UNOPS (United Nations Office of Project Services).

http://3mdg.org/newsroom/item/678-funding-to-3mdg#.VWbmJkYsBOp