Text: USAID Announces Community-Based HIV/AIDS Initiative

30 November 2001

Text: USAID Announces Community-Based HIV/AIDS Initiative

Local groups to receive grants for solving problems linked to epidemic

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced a new grant program to support community and faith-based groups working to address problems related to the HIV/AIDS epidemic at the local level.

The announcement of the $1.5 million program came at a Washington news conference November 30, the eve of World AIDS Day 2001. The Communities Responding to the HIV/AIDS Epidemic (CORE) initiative will engage community groups as partners in efforts to launch programs to solve medical, educational and other local problems brought on by the epidemic.

"By strengthening partnerships with faith and community groups worldwide, we will improve our ability to help the people on the ground who are already providing desperately-needed services in developing nations," said Dr. E. Anne Peterson, USAID's assistant administrator for global health. "Our additional resources can multiply the impact of these proven programs."

Peterson announced the program with religious leaders from the United States, Uganda and South Africa. Joining the news event via teleconference, South African Anglican Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane said the CORE program would allow his church to begin a training program for 90,000 caregivers to ease the suffering of some 4 million South Africans with HIV/AIDS.

USAID's budget for HIV/AIDS programs was $320 million in 2001. The United States has contributed more than $1,600 million to efforts to contain the epidemic in the developing world since 1986.

Following is the text of the USAID press release:

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U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

PRESS RELEASE

November 30, 2001

USAID ANNOUNCES CORE INITIATIVE

Targets Resources to Faith and Community Organizations

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Representing a commitment to an expanded response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in developing nations, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) today announced the Communities Responding to the HIV/AIDS Epidemic (CORE) Initiative, which targets resources and technical assistance to faith- and community-based organizations worldwide. The CORE Initiative focuses activity where it is most urgently needed -- at the community level, where people live, struggle, and die as a consequence of HIV/AIDS.

Millions of people in developing countries are infected and/or directly affected by HIV. Hundreds of millions more are at risk of infection. The norms and values promoted by faith-based groups -- respect for life, committed relationships based on fidelity, valuing and providing education -- can make meaningful contributions to preventing new infections. Additionally, faith-based institutions typically operate much of the developing country health care infrastructure -- clinics, hospitals, and teaching facilities. As USAID expands its work in care and support for people living with HIV and AIDS, community and faith-based organizations will be essential partners in providing voluntary HIV counseling and testing, home care, clinical services, and delivering advanced treatment.

"The CORE Initiative demonstrates a creative and pragmatic approach in directing USAID resources," said Dr. E. Anne Peterson, USAID's Assistant Administrator for Global Health. "By strengthening partnerships with faith and community groups worldwide, we will improve our ability to help the people on the ground who are already providing desperately-needed services in developing nations. Our additional resources can multiply the impact of these proven programs."

At a news event in Washington, Dr. Peterson welcomed South African Anglican Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane, who attended by teleconference. Archbishop Ndungane, whose church received one of the first CORE demonstration grants, said, "Our own experience demonstrates that the CORE Initiative can be one of the most useful ways for the American government to help people living with HIV/AIDS. Given the information and skills, our clergy can lead community discussions that help people change behavior to prevent disease transmission, and reduce discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS. CORE can help us bring this about."

Newly installed Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Mark Hanson also attended the event. "Stand With Africa" is a three-year campaign of Lutheran World Relief, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Bishop Hanson said, "For USAID and Lutheran World Relief to cooperate through the CORE Initiative builds on the strengths of both agencies. This partnership amplifies our Stand With Africa commitment to support African churches and communities in overcoming AIDS. It will share Africa's successes in the prevention of HIV and the care of those affected. Lutherans in America will notice the impact and rejoice -- some eight million members are linked to this campaign. My hope is that other faith-based development agencies will join Lutheran World Relief in this important public-private initiative on behalf of those who suffer due to AIDS."

Sheikh Anasi Abdunoor Kaliisa came from Uganda to help announce the Initiative. In early November, Sheikh Kaliisa played a key role in the CORE-funded first International Muslim Leaders Consultation on HIV/AIDS in Kampala, which initiated a coordinated Muslim response to the AIDS epidemic. "In Uganda we have been successful at reducing the rate of HIV infection," the Sheik said. "Now, in other nations, we must communicate, real information about the epidemic, teach people to protect themselves through behavior change, and care for those infected and their families. The CORE Initiative will help us with these tasks, and we welcome USAID's support."

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)