USAID Contribution Strengthens WFP Urban HIV/AIDS Program
Nutritional support helps people living with HIV celebrate life

DECEMBER 2, 2008 Addis Ababa (U.S. Embassy) – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) celebrated their partnership today by highlighting a $22 million dollar contribution over the next three years from USAID to support WFP’s Urban HIV/AIDS Program.  The program will address the food and nutritional needs of thousands of malnourished people living with HIV and their vulnerable children living in urban and per-urban areas. 

USAID/Ethiopia Mission Director Glenn Anders officially handed over the donation to Mohammed Diab, WFP Representative and Country Director in Ethiopia at one of the distribution centers in Addis Ababa. 

“This is an historic event that further strengthens the collaboration between USAID and WFP and, most importantly, will improve the lives of tens of thousands of people living with HIV and their vulnerable children,” explained USAID Mission Director Anders.  “Thanks to PEPFAR support, the food we are providing is a source of substance and hope to people living with HIV.”

Diab added, “WFP is indebted to USAID for this hugely generous and significant donation. It will allow WFP to continue the important work of providing nutritional support to individuals living with, and affected by HIV-AIDS, and trying to lead positive and meaningful lives. Food is often cited as their greatest and most urgent need.”

Support for the contribution is from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR.  President Bush promised to lead the fight against HIV/AIDS in 2003 and the United States has followed through on this commitment by leading the world in its level of support for HIV/AIDS relief while working in partnership with the people of many host nations.   

The event comes the day after World AIDS Day, when millions around the world commemorated the day of action on HIV/AIDS.  The theme for this year is “Celebrate Life” as lifesaving treatments have restored many people living with HIV/AIDS have.  Today, PEPFAR supports lifesaving treatments for 1.7 million people worldwide, and for 120,000 in Ethiopia as of October this year.   

PEPFAR is the largest commitment in history to combat a single disease. Through PEPFAR, the U.S. Government has provided $18.8 billion in HIV/AIDS funding worldwide, with a reauthorization of up to $48 billion for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria over the next five years, 2008-2013.  Ethiopia receives the fourth-largest amount of PEPFAR funds worldwide.

In Ethiopia, WFP’s second largest operation in Africa assists households facing chronic food insecurity and affected by natural disasters, refugees, pregnant and nursing mothers, school children and individuals infected or affected by HIV-AIDS. WFP also helps communities through land rehabilitation programs, and plays a leading role in capacity development initiatives.

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