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This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.
USAID Combatting AIDS: A Record of Accomplishment
U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
FACT SHEET
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov
(202) 712-4320
2000-15FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Gabrielle Bushman
Sunday, July 9, 2000The U.S. government is the world leader in responding to the global pandemic of AIDS. Since 1986, the U.S. government, through USAID, has dedicated over $1.4 billion dollars for the prevention and mitigation of this epidemic in the developing world. USAID's HIV/AIDS budget of $200 million for 2000 is four times as great as the next-largest donor.
USAID is working in 46 of the hardest hit countries around the world. Nearly 70 percent of our HIV/AIDS program assistance goes to small non-governmental organizations that have direct connections to the poorest of the poor and those most vulnerable to infection.
Vice President Gore's Speech to the U.N. On January 10, Vice President Gore addressed the first-ever United Nations Security Council meeting on a health issue. In his speech, the Vice President announced that there will be an additional $100 million to fight AIDS in the administration's FY2001 budget. Of these new funds, approximately half will be used by USAID to continue and expand its programs in 46 countries.
Leadership and Investment in Fighting an Epidemic (LIFE). In July 1999, the Vice President announced a $100 million fiscal year 2000 initiative to fight AIDS around the world. Of this, USAID has programmed $55 million, which will support efforts to contain the AIDS pandemic, provide home and community-based care, care for children orphaned by AIDS and strengthen community capacity to respond. LIFE focuses on 13 target countries (12 in sub-Saharan Africa, plus India), that represent those with the most severe epidemic, the highest number of new infections and where the potential impact is the greatest.
Educating people to prevent AIDS. In the past five years, USAID, through work with host country governments and community groups, has provided intensive AIDS education and to over 25 million vulnerable men and women, helping them to reduce their risk of HIV infection. To accomplish this task, USAID has trained over 180,000 new, dedicated counselors and educators.
Reducing HIV prevalence in young adults in Uganda. USAID's support was instrumental in reducing the prevalence of HIV in 15-24 year olds in urban areas by 50 percent and nationally by a third.
Maintaining low HIV prevalence. In Senegal, Philippines and Indonesia, early, comprehensive HIV intervention programs supported by USAID and other donors have helped prevent a major epidemic, keeping the prevalence rate to less than 2 percent. Even more `dramatic, in another set of countries - Uganda, Dominican Republic, and Thailand - intensive HIV/AIDS programs launched after major epidemics had erupted have resulted in reductions in the numbers of new infections.
Reducing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Africa. USAID is improving STI control programs in Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda and Zambia. In South Africa, USAID support was instrumental in reducing the prevalence of STIs by 40 percent among vulnerable mineworkers over a nine-month period.
Increasing the distribution of condoms. USAID has provided over one billion condoms and developed new technologies so that people can protect themselves and their partners. In Thailand, through a 100% "condom only" brothel policy and intensive general and targeted interventions focused on behavior change, HIV prevalence has been kept at 2 percent over the past four years, and STI rates in men have dropped by 300 percent. USAID support for social marketing of condoms has increased sales by over 100 percent between 1996 and 1998 in four African countries (Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe).
Supporting voluntary testing and counseling. In 1990, USAID provided funding for the AIDS Information Center in Uganda, the first program in Africa offering voluntary and anonymous HIV counseling and testing. In eight years, over 400,000 clients were served. USAID now supports voluntary counseling and testing in more than 10 countries.
Involving people living with AIDS: A critical component of USAID's efforts is to involve people living with AIDS in all stages of its programs.
Involving communities in the fight against AIDS. USAID support has been critical to supporting local communities and community-based organizations in fighting AIDS in Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Senegal and 40 other developing countries.
Supporting civil society groups in the fight against AIDS. In South Africa, USAID assisted the Council of South African Trade Unions to include HIV/AIDS as a key policy issue for their members. USAID has also supported religious communities and inter-faith networks critical to HIV/AIDS prevention successes.
Developing technologies to fight the transmission. USAID has been instrumental in the ongoing development of critical technologies to fight the transmission of AIDS in the developing world, including the female condom, a topical microbicide, rapid diagnostic tests for STIs and affordable, and realistic methods to reduce mother to child transmission of AIDS.
Assisting children affected by AIDS: Globally, 25 million children have lost one or both parents to AIDS. In 10 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, USAID is helping children stay in their communities by supporting extended and foster families. USAID programs assist with housing, education, health care as well as helping children cope with the psychological stress of losing a parent.
Collaborating with other major donors: USAID is closely collaborating with other major donors such as the World Bank and European Union to coordinate country programs and increase their effectiveness. In Ukraine, the European Union and USAID are designing a joint $4 million HIV/AIDS prevention campaign and in Brazil USAID is offering technical assistance to improve the national HIV/AIDS program which is supported by World Bank funds.
This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.
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Last Updated on: July 12, 2001 |
