MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
The Federal Government will provide $6.4 million for 13 community-based projects throughout southern and eastern Africa to help combat HIV/AIDS.
The newly-appointed Chair of the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board, Federal Health and Family Services Minister, Dr Michael Wooldridge, announced this funding boost in Geneva in his keynote address at the board's sixth meeting. Funding will be provided through Australia's overseas aid program.
The projects will target rural communities and particularly the more vulnerable members of society, women and children.
Dr Wooldridge said that the number of people living with AIDS in many African countries has increased alarmingly in recent years. The first task in addressing this illness is often to overcome prejudice by educating people about the disease.
He said it is also vital that Australia continues to implement projects to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and to involve local communities in planning and delivering preventative programs.
Mr Downer said that some innovative projects to be funded include targeting members of the armed forces in Zimbabwe with an HIV/AIDS education program and enlisting the assistance of popular soccer players to help educate the youth of South Africa.
Other projects will focus on assisting children who have acquired HIV/AIDS from their mother's breast milk and developing a support group for women with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania, Mr Downer said.
The projects will all be implemented by Australian non-government aid organisations including Community Aid Abroad, World Vision, PLAN and the Overseas Service Bureau.
This $6.4 million contribution fulfils the Government's commitment to provide a total of $10 million over four years to help fight HIV/AIDS in Africa.
Media contacts:
Vanessa Monaghan (Dr Wooldridge's office) 02 6277 7220
Innes Willox (Mr Downer's office) 02 6277 7500/0411 414 695
Carol Haffke (AusAID) 02 6206 4966/0417 683 767