Press Release

OFID extends new grants targeting HIV/AIDS

PR12/2010 May 27, 2010, Vienna, Austria
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Three grant agreements for amounts totalling US$6,850,000 were signed today by the Director-General of OFID, Mr. Suleiman J. Al-Herbish, with three partner institutions targeting HIV/AIDS. The battle against AIDS is a concern OFID accords high priority in its development work.  Commenting on the new initiatives under consideration, Mr. Al-Herbish said, at the grants signature ceremony, that “the lack of awareness and prevention amongst vulnerable groups in this pandemic has become a hindrance toward poverty eradication.”  He said proceeds for all three grants will be drawn from OFID’s Special Grant Account for HIV/AIDS Operations.

• The first grant in the amount of US$3,500,000 will help fund an OFID/WHO Joint Partnership on Prevention of Transfusion-Transmitted HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Infections in Priority Countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to prevent further transmission of HIV/AIDS in four countries - Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan - through universal coverage and improved quality-control mechanisms of testing all donated blood. These activities will be carried out under programs of assessments and restructuring of screening systems, the upgrading of laboratory facilities and the implementation of blood screening laboratory quality systems.  The OFID grant to the WHO was signed on behalf of the Organization by Ms. Namita Pradhan, Assistant Director-General.

• The second grant of US$3,000,000 will finance Phase II of an initiative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The initiative focuses on effective HIV/AIDS prevention and care amongst vulnerable groups in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. The project is aimed at six countries (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan).  The objective is to enhance primary health care services in penitentiary systems and improve law enforcement in constructive partnerships related to HIV social and health protection services.  The OFID grant to the UNODC was signed on behalf of the Office by Mr. Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director.

• The third grant in the amount of US$350,000 will support the 18th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2010) to be held in Vienna, Austria, July 18-23, this year.  The conference is organized by the International AIDS Society (IAS). The Conference’s theme will be “Right Here. Right Now” and will emphasize continued commitment to the ending of the pandemic.  The event is a global, biennial gathering of researchers, policy makers, sponsoring agencies and stakeholders who come together to further strengthen commitment toward the elimination of HIV/AIDS.  The grant to AIDS 2010 was initialled for the IAS by Ms. Robin Gorna, IAS Executive Director.

 

Since its inception, OFID has provided more than US$483 million in grant support, including funding for technical assistance, research, emergency assistance and food aid.

 

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