U.S. Pledges Us$57 Million for HIV/AIDS Fight. 1/11/10
US$57 million for various programmes to support the fight against HIV and Aids in Zimbabwe
By George Maponga
1 November 2010
Masvingo — The United States government has pledged US$57 million for various programmes to support the fight against HIV and Aids in Zimbabwe next year.
There are reports that at least 49 000 people in Zimbabwe who are living with the deadly virus were benefiting from the support of the American government.
US Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Charles Ray yesterday revealed that his country was keen to assist more people affected or infected with the deadly HIV and Aids virus.
Speaking as he officially handed over a grinding mill to People Living with HIV and Aids, donated by the US embassy at Sosera Business Centre in Bikita West yesterday, Ambassador Ray re-affirmed the commitment of the American government to lessen the effects of HIV and Aids in Zimbabwe.
"The American government remains keen to assist Zimbabwe in its fight against HIV and Aids and we want to make sure that next year the number of people who benefit from our programmes in the fight against HIV and Aids increase from the current 40 000 people to 49 000.
"We also want to assure that next year our total assistance to Zimbabwe in various programmes to do with HIV and Aids reaches US$57 million and the money will further demonstrate the determination of the American government to reduce the effects of HIV and Aids in Zimbabwe in particular," said Ambassador Ray.
The American diplomat praised the Sosera People Living with HIV and Aids committee for espousing the values and virtues of self-reliance stressing that the US government wanted to be partner in uplifting the social and economic conditions of rural communities.
Sosera People Living with HIV and Aids co-ordinator Mr Stanley Chabvepi hailed the American government through Ambassador Ray for their assistance in the grinding mill project saying the venture was going to go a long way in easing the plight of those affected or infected with the deadly HIV and Aids disease in the area.
Mr Chabvepi said his organisation wanted to be a model to other communities in inculcating the values of self reliance especially in the face of the rampaging HIV and Aids plague.
The grinding mill for people living with Hiv and Aids at Sosera was installed at a cost of US$18 000 with funding from the US embassy and proceeds from the venture will be used to support those affected and infected by the HIV and Aids scourge in the area.