The ESAF is a system by which the International Monetary Fund loans concessional resources to assist poor countries. These countries have extended balance of payments deficits and pursue an orderly plans for correcting the deficits and promoting medium-term economic structural adjustment and macroeconomic programs. While similar to the Structural Adjustment Facility (SAF), ESAF has triple the resources available for supporting structural adjustment and monitors performance more closely. Both facilities use the Policy Framework Paper as a means for attracting additional support structural adjustment. SAF was established in March 1986, ESAF in December 1987; both facilities require repayments to be made in 5< to 10 years. More than 60 countries are eligible for assistance under these facilities. See: International Monetary Fund Policy Framework Paper