Increased AIDS funding must reach communities
14 July 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE INTERNATIONAL HIV/AIDS ALLIANCE today welcomed the UK Government’s announcement of significantly increased funding for the Department for International Development (DFID), and the recognition by Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for International Development, of the urgency and importance of HIV/AIDS work in the immediate future.
Alvaro Bermejo, Executive Director of the Alliance, said:
"It is great news to see DFID taking the lead on HIV/AIDS through its own actions. We urgently need to increase the size and scale of programmes on the ground – like those of the Alliance and its partners – providing treatment, care and support to many more of the people who need it most. We hope that a central part of DFID’s increased funding continues to support and build the Global Fund as a primary response to the global epidemic.
"It is important that DFID also recognises that expanding options and access for prevention means developing programmes that are appropriate to the context of each individual country and the population that they are working with. A key component of this in many developing countries is prevention programmes that work for women.
"And while the strongest support must be given to the world’s poorest countries, we must not neglect the very fast-emerging epidemics in regions such as Latin America and Asia. Some of these middle income countries also need quick financial and technical support to avoid new social and economic catastrophes.
"DFID has already taken a long-term approach in recognising the importance of civil society as a service provider and advocate, and the need to develop good health systems. Countries where communities have been involved from the start have consistently had the most success overcoming HIV/AIDS."
Ends
Editor’s notes:
1. For more information about the work of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance and to arrange interviews, please contact Simon Moore. T: 01273 718744. E: smoore@aidsalliance.org
2. The International HIV/AIDS Alliance has been supporting community action on AIDS in developing countries since 1993. It has worked with community organisations from over 40 developing countries, provided financial support to over 2,500 projects (implemented by over 1,800 community and faith-based groups), and channelled over USD 100 million to organisations across the world. Expenditure in 2005 alone is anticipated to be a further USD 45 million.
