National AIDS council spent less than 40 percent of budget

Mozambique's National Council for the Fight Against AIDS (CNCS) has spent less than 40 percent of the funds allocated to HIV/AIDS activities in the country this year. According to the local news agency, AIM, the CNCS had planned programmes costing US $17.7 million, but only $6.5 million was disbursed and used, leaving projects planned by civil society and the public sector in the lurch. The CNCS blamed the institution's underspending on its complex financial management system, particularly at provincial level. CNCS spokesman Eusebio Chaquisse was reported as saying that the Council planned to coordinate activities at a district level, in order to involve local communities.