Norwegian Delegation Mission to Ethiopia
Focused on Global Fund Grant Cycle 7 Implementation Challenges
Dialogue Session: November 20, 2025
Location: ISHDO DIC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) conducted an official mission visit to Ethiopia, spanning four days from November 17 to 20, 2025. This high-level delegation sought to strengthen its strategic oversight role as a key contributor to the Global Fund’s GC7 investment. The GC7 focuses on accelerating the fight against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, alongside crucial investments in Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH).
The distinguished NORAD mission team included: Mr. Torgeir Vasaasen: Head of Global Health, NORAD, Mr. Gjert Tombre: Legal Adviser, NORAD and Ms. Tine Ehret Mejdell: Senior Advisor, NORAD
The delegation’s core mandate was to gain a direct, ground-level understanding of the impact of recent budget cuts on GC7 program implementation and to engage in detailed, direct consultation with local implementers.
The CCM/E Secretariat in collaboration with the Integrated Services for Health and development Organization (ISHDO) and other CSO representatives facilitated the discussion.
The delegates visited the ISHDO Drop-in Center (DIC) in the Haya Hulet area, designated a high-priority location due to an estimated population of 4,000 Female Sex Workers.
Mr. Seyoum G/Meskel, representative of ISHDO, provided a comprehensive briefing on the center’s achievements and operational model. He confirmed that the DIC, supported by the Global Fund and operational since January 2025, delivers essential, high-impact HIV services targeted at Key Priority Populations (KPP).
These critical public health services include:
- HIV testing and counseling
- Family Planning (FP) and condom distribution
- Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) services
Following the briefing on key achievements and challenges encountered, the delegation toured the facility to observe the service delivery processes and understand their effective integration into the community.
The visit culminated in a dedicated, in-depth discussion session between the NORAD delegation and representatives from the HIV, TB, and Malaria CSO constituencies (Sub-Recipients/Sub-Sub-Recipients). The dialogue centered on the challenges faced by CSOs in maintaining service quality amidst the critical implications of the recent funding cuts and subsequent program reprioritization.
During the discussion, participants noted that the impact of funding cuts and reprioritization has negatively affected operational capacity, specifically forcing a reduction in the number of DICs and available manpower, threatening reach to KPPs. They also strongly emphasized the importance of prevention, stating unequivocally that life-saving prevention activities must be given greater priority in future programming. They argued that prevention should be recognized as equally important as treatment activities to ensure long-term disease sustainability and health security. CSOs recommended that Norway consider diversifying its support across various programs rather than repeatedly funding similar proposals. This approach is essential to ensure a broader, more resilient portfolio of national health interventions. A key request was to encourage the avoidance of sudden, emergency budget cuts. Such unexpected instability severely disrupts planned country activities, compromises implementation timelines, and undermines hard-won progress.
The NORAD delegation expressed their sincere appreciation for the open, candid, and essential discussions with the CSO representatives and the CCM Secretariat. They fully acknowledged the gravity and importance of the discussion points raised by the participants, recognizing them as vital input from the core of the implementation structure.
The delegates affirmed that this direct, ground-level feedback will be crucial in shaping the Norwegian Government’s policy and engagement strategy concerning global health funding. The information gathered will be used to help influence ongoing strategic discussions with the Global Fund Secretariat and partner governments, ensuring that future resource allocation is guided by in-country realities and the needs of affected populations.
