Until that far-off day when everyone can afford condoms, public programs should continue providing condoms free or at subsidized prices. The challenge is that, at a time when the need is enormous and popular demand for condoms is rising, donor commitment to supporting contraceptive supplies may be faltering, while many other urgent reproductive health needs are competing for attention.

The total number of donors for population assistance has risen since 1991 (202). Total population assistance funds from donor countries roughly doubled between 1990 and 1996 (117), and financing for contraceptive commodities increased as well. In addition, several charitable foundations have increased support (57, 117). Even though the need for support probably will double in the next decade, the level of funding is not expected to double again, however (518).

Falling short of the total funding need would limit condom supplies. In many developing countries condoms have been available free or at low cost thanks to funding from national governments and international donors. In 1997 donors provided over US$50 million toward condom supplies for developing countries (552). Some international donors have indicated that they may be unable or unwilling to continue providing an increasing number of condoms and other contraceptive commodities into the indefinite future (12, 337, 475, 547). If donor commitment were to decline substantially, some experts warn, a number of programs could run out of condoms (427). Similarly, if donors do not keep up with the growing demand, condoms could be in short supply.

Programs and donors cannot plan for all contingencies. The financial crisis in Southeast Asia that began in 1998 provides an example. Although donor funds and international bank loans may be little affected by the economic crisis (215), developing-country government funds for HIV/AIDS prevention and other public health needs have become scarce (588). In 1998, for example, Thailand's Ministry of Public Health cut its AIDS budget by 25% (550). Reproductive health services for young people and women have been hit especially hard.