Norway

Norway has announced USD 105 million in grant funding for the World Bank to explore innovative ways to improve health-care systems in developing countries, especially for women and babies. The money is the first disbursement of USD 1 billion pledged by Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg in September. The USD 105 million will support World Bank pilot programs in impoverished countries, focusing on effective ways of delivering health care to the poor. (Reuters)