PIP: In 1999, the World Bank published a strategic plan demonstrating the next steps in its endeavor against AIDS. "Intensifying Action Against HIV/AIDS in Africa--Responding to a Development Crisis" calls on the World Bank and its partners, as well as African governments, to make a new commitment to sparing millions of people from HIV/AIDS. This paper identifies the limitations of the report, including the paucity of data, the lack of success stories, and the manner of data presentation. Although it is able to give five examples of benefits of action, there are still better ones, more recent, more sustainable, and more applicable to the African setting. It is essential to see whether actions spelled out in the strategic plan would be implemented, and advocacy works and programs be developed. What matters most, after all is reducing the spread of HIV and dealing with the impact of AIDS.