R -- Notice of USAID Town Hall Meeting on Malaria

The purpose of this notice is to invite interested parties to an open meeting to be held on November 7-8, 2006, 09:00-17:00 hrs. at the Orchid Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand. The meeting will be conducted by Dr. John MacArthur, Infectious Diseases Advisor, USAID/RDMA, and Mr. Jonathan Ross, Health Officer, USAID/Cambodia. The objectives of the meeting are (a) to review the gains made in malaria control in the Greater Mekong Subregion over the past 5 years of USAID funding; (b) to learn about the programs of other important malaria donors such as the Global Fund for AIDS, TB, and malaria, Asian Development Bank, JICA, and the Rockefeller Foundation; (c) discuss the future plans of the World Health Organization?s Mekong Malaria Initiative; and (d) assist in the development of a new strategic 5-year plans for USAID?s Mekong malaria program. While it is uncertain that funding opportunities will result from this effort, there is the possibility that information gathered at this review will be used in the issuance of a RFA or RFP. This meeting is open to all interested organizations that would like to share their experiences and knowledge of malaria in the Greater Mekong Subregion. The minutes of the meeting will be made available to all interested parties. All expenses for attending this meeting shall be the responsibility of the attending organization or individual. No recommendations or decisions regarding future grant or contract procurement actions will be made during this meeting. Only USAID staff will be involved in making decisions regarding funding, program emphasis, and the choice of instruments, which will occur at a later date. Non-USAID participants will not be involved in discussions regarding upcoming procurements. The holding of this meeting is not a guarantee that an RFA or RFP will be issued involving this subject matter.