Planning horizon for net distributions

The planning horizon for a net distribution can be as short as six months but is typically 24 months.

This includes the time period over which donations are aggregated (so we can fund the distribution), the subsequent period during which a discussion takes place leading to approval, and the twelve month operational planning lead time for the distribution itself. In practice, this means we are currently discussing distributions that will take place 18 months from now. Some commitments to fund distributions are made as far as three years ahead* as this matches National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) planning horizons.

* Planning for the Malawi distributions with which we are involved has a four year forward planning schedule.

† For some distributions a net order has to be confirmed six or more months ahead given prevailing production capacity schedules. In these cases a net order is placed against an estimated net need and a small 'mop-up' order is placed if needed or excess nets are made available for a subsequent, geographically nearby (and already approved) distribution to ensure efficiency of net allocation.

‡ This period depends on the amount of funds needed for the distribution and the rate of donations we receive.