EMBASSY NEWSCENTRE

Media Advisories

American Ambassador to Announce Major Grants to Fight HIV/AIDS in Cote d’Ivoire

As part of President Bush’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (the American Emergency Plan), American Ambassador Aubrey Hooks will be joined on Tuesday, September 27, 2005, by several ministers of state to announce the awarding of three new multi-million dollar projects to fight HIV/AIDS in Cote d’Ivoire.  The projects will help to build the health care capacity of the Northwest of the country, another will work to improve access to treatment and prevention initiatives in rural areas, and the last will begin programs targeted at members of the military, who are particularly susceptible to contracting HIV/AIDS.  Together these projects represent the opening of several new and important fronts in the war against HIV/AIDS in Cote d’Ivoire as part of the American Emergency Plan’s $42 million campaign this year.

“We cannot just fight HIV/AIDS in Abidjan,” declared Ambassador Hooks.  “We must bring the battle to every village, North and South, East and West.  The American Emergency Plan will rapidly increase the capacity of the Ivorian health care sector to reach every person in Cote d’Ivoire who is or could be affected by HIV/AIDS.  We are also working with the Ivoirian military so their efforts will be a positive example for the communities they serve.”

Those journalists interested in attending this significant press conference are requested to contact Mr. Folli Teko on 22 49 45 99 or 05 09 95 25, or via email on tekofx@state.gov by Monday, September 26, 2005, at 4PM.  Journalists are requested to arrive at the Embassy no later than 9:30 AM.  Those arriving after this time or who have not provided their names in advance will not be admitted.

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