Posts
In a ceremony on April 10, the US
Embassy in Cambodia announced the launch of a $30 million initiative that will
support Cambodia’s efforts to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS throughout the
country.
US Ambassador William E. Todd called
the United States “Cambodia’s steadfast partner in the fight against HIV/AIDS”
during the ceremony held in Siem Reap province.
Part of the US President’s Emergency
Plan for AIDS Relief, the five-year plan will focus on those at high risk of
HIV infection by offering services targeted at preventing the spread of the
disease and by improving the care and treatment of individuals already infected
by the disease. The Khmer HIV/AIDS NGO Alliance (Khana) will lead a consortium
of other Cambodian organizations vested in the fight against HIV/AIDS; Khana
will be joined by international nongovernmental organizations PSI and FHI360,
known for their innovation in the global arena of HIV/AIDS response.
A statement from the US Embassy
described the United States as “Cambodia’s largest bilateral health donor,”
stating it provides approximately 20 percent of total resources for the
nation’s HIV/AIDS program.
According to the country’s National
Institute of Public Health, Cambodia has 77,861 residents with HIV/AIDS,
including 5,349 children. The country saw approximately 2,365 fatalities from
the disease last year.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
