U.S. Awards Another $500 Million to Achieve AIDS-Free Generation

Top researchers and AIDS activists are meeting at the 20th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2014) in Melbourne, Australia.

Melbourne, Australia — More than $500 million in additional U.S. funding will support global HIV and AIDS response efforts with 19 partners.

Three major HIV and AIDS awards, funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), will support global efforts to help end extreme poverty by creating an AIDS-free generation, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced July 21.

The new programs support implementation of the PEPFAR Blueprint: Creating an AIDS-Free Generation to expand evidence-based HIV interventions, reach and serve populations at greatest risk, and strengthen shared responsibility among all of those affected by HIV and AIDS.

The investments, announced at the 20th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2014) in Melbourne, Australia, illustrate how USAID is supporting the next phase of PEPFAR, and the global HIV and AIDS response.

“With this substantial investment, USAID and PEPFAR are better able to sustain a lasting impact in the global fight against HIV and AIDS,” said USAID Assistant Administrator for Global Health Ariel Pablos-Méndez. “By strengthening high-impact interventions, engaging key populations, and supporting the capacity of local partners and host-country governments, we know that it is possible to accelerate the end of this epidemic and realize the promise of an AIDS-free generation.”

The awards include:

• Strengthening High Impact Interventions for an AIDS-Free Generation (AIDSFree) is a $250 million award that will be implemented over five years by JSI Research & Training Institute Inc. in partnership with ,Abt Associates Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), EnCompass, IMA World Health (IMA), The International HIV/AIDS Alliance (The Alliance), Jhpiego and Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH). AIDSFree aims to improve the effectiveness of high-impact, evidence-based HIV interventions (e.g., preventing mother-to-child transmission, encouraging voluntary medical male circumcision and accelerating the speed with which these interventions are brought to scale at country level).

• Linkages Across the Continuum of HIV Services for Key Populations Affected by HIV (LINKAGES) is a $73 million award that will be implemented over five years by FHI 360 in partnership with IntraHealth International, Pact and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. LINKAGES aims to strengthen the ability of partner governments, key population civil society organizations and private sector providers to effectively deliver comprehensive, high-quality HIV prevention, treatment and care services for key populations and their partners.

• USAID/Southern Africa’s Capacity Development & Support Project (CDS) is a $180 million award that will be implemented over five years by FHI 360 and its South Africa–based consortium partners: Deloitte South Africa, Foundation for Professional Development and Institute for Health Measurement. Resource partners for the award include Sonke Gender Justice Network, Hospice Palliative Care Association, Tshikululu Social Investments and Walter Sisulu University Foundation. The CDS aims to mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS by increasing local partner capacity and supporting the South African government.

PEPFAR, a transformative global health program enacted in 2003, has been called the largest and most successful foreign health assistance program in history. Through PEPFAR, the United States is helping to save the lives of millions of people across the globe.