The US has launched a five-year project to support Cambodia’s fight
against HIV/AIDS, according to the Cambodian News Agency AKP.
The
30 million USD initiative, part of the US President’s Emergency Plan
for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), will focus on individuals at high-risk of HIV
infection with services aiming to prevent the spread of the disease and
improve care and treatment of those infected by HIV, the agency quoted a
press release from the US Embassy as saying.
The Khmer HIV/AIDS
NGO Alliance (KHANA) will lead a consortium of organisations at the
forefront of the fight against HIV/AIDS in Cambodia while PSI and
FHI360, international NGOs known for their innovation in the global
fight against AIDS, will join KHANA to help strengthen Cambodia’s
national HIV/AIDS response and efficiency.
“The United States
is Cambodia’s steadfast partner in the fight against HIV/AIDS,” said
US ambassador William E.Todd during a ceremony to announce the
launch.
The US Government is Cambodia’s largest bilateral
health donor, providing approximately 20 percent of all resources behind
its national HIV/AIDS program.
Through PEPFAR, the US
provides 15 million USD annually to assist Cambodia with providing
HIV prevention, care, and treatment.-VNA