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Ambassador Aubrey Hooks and the Ministry of Health in charge of AIDS (Photo: Yacouba Soro/US Embassy)

Growing U.S. PEPFAR contribution to expand fight against HIV/AIDS in Cote d’Ivoire

The U.S. government’s PEPFAR initiative will grow to more than $65 million USD (32 billion FCFA) this year to strengthen and expand the fight against HIV/AIDS in Cote d’Ivoire, the U.S. Embassy has announced.

PEPFAR’s 2007 budget represents an increase of 38% over last year’s contribution of $47 million. PEPFAR is by far the largest funder of HIV/AIDS programs in the country.

The money will be used to reinforce and extend HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment programs throughout Cote d’Ivoire, especially in the underserved North and West.

"This large increase reaffirms the American people’s commitment to helping Cote d’Ivoire build a future without HIV/AIDS," U.S. Ambassador Aubrey Hooks said in a statement. "In a country moving toward peace, PEPFAR’s work with our partners at the national and local levels will make a difference in people’s lives in every corner of the country."

PEPFAR (the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) is a five-year, $15 billion initiative to help countries around the world turn back the tide of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Cote d’Ivoire is one of 15 priority countries selected for intensive U.S. support.

PEPFAR’s financial and technical support to more than 100 partners and sub-partners – from government ministries to local community- and faith-based organizations – has produced significant results in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Cote d’Ivoire, including:

• More HIV counseling and testing sites (81 nationwide, up from 18 in 2004).
• More treatment sites (58, up from 16 in 2004) providing antiretroviral therapy to more than 21,000 people living with HIV/AIDS.
• Palliative-care services for more than 42,500 people living with HIV/AIDS.
• Care and support for more than 22,500 orphans and vulnerable children.