First Lady of the USA Visits Mozambique

President George W. Bush announced on May 30 that U.S. First Lady Laura Bush will travel to Mozambique, Zambia, Senegal, and Mali in late June.

During her trip to Mozambique, on Wednesday, June 27th, she will meet with community leaders and visit with participants in HIV/AIDS and malaria programs. Mrs. Bush’s visit underscores the U.S. commitment to Africa and will highlight the advances being made in HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment as well as the combat against malaria in Africa.

Mozambique is a focus country in the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) initiative. In 2003, the U.S. pledged $15 billion over five years for the PEPFAR program worldwide. On May 30, President Bush asked Congress to double the United States’ commitment and approve an additional $30 billion for HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment over the next five years. Mozambique is also a focus country in the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) which increases U.S. malaria funding by $1.2 billion over five years to reduce deaths due to malaria by 50 percent in 15 African countries.