Alliance Ukraine was instrumental to Ukraine’s proposal preparation and will be one of the three principal recipients of the grant (along with PLHA Network and the State AIDS Centre).
The $305 million grant covers 2012-2016 with $94 million included within the first two years. It is the largest Ukraine has ever received to fight HIV/AIDS.
“Our successes in HIV/AIDS prevention”, said Andriy Klepikov Alliance Ukraine’s Executive Director “have been already recognised internationally, in particular in the UNAIDS global report”. Members of the Global Fund Board went on a site visit on the eve of decision making and “saw with their own eyes how the Global Fund’s resources are effectively used” said Andriy.
Ukraine is in critical need of the donor funds as the national HIV/AIDS programme is underfinanced by the state. The recently approved state budget for 2011 allocates less than 50% of previously committed resources.
“The Global Fund’s decision” said Dr Yuri Kobyshcha, Alliance Ukraine’s Governing Board Chairman, “has given us a chance to make a radical impact on the HIV epidemic in Ukraine”.
Alliance Ukraine recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and is now the largest NGO focused on HIV in Ukraine.