Press Release

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Announces Results from America’s Action to Fight Global HIV/AIDS

February 10, 2006

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice today announced the release of “Action Today, A Foundation for Tomorrow,” the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Second Annual Report. 

After two years of implementation and partnership with host nations like Vietnam, United States President George W. Bush’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has supported antiretroviral treatment for approximately 471,000 people worldwide. 740 of those being treated are located in Vietnam.  

The U.S. is also supporting many nations’ strategies to expand HIV counseling and testing. Knowing your status is crucial for prevention, because it can encourage HIV-negative couples to maintain fidelity, and because it allows HIV-discordant couples to receive counseling and condoms.  Knowing your status also allows those who are HIV-positive to seek the treatment that can extend their lives.  In two years, of the 9.4 million people in the focus countries received PEPFAR-supported HIV counseling and testing service; 60,558 were from Vietnam. 

In the fifteen focus countries, over 80 percent of all implementing partners in FY05 were local organizations.  The successes of the partnership between like Vietnam and the United States in making the money work on the ground today and in building sustainable responses provide a strong foundation for the future.   

The U.S. committed approximately $18 million to Vietnam in FY04, $27.5 million in FY05, and is planning to commit $34 million in FY06. The American people are proud to be partnering with Vietnam, creating hope for a future free of HIV/AIDS.   

The United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief is a $15 billion, five-year initiative to turn the tide against global HIV/AIDS – the largest global health initiative directed at a single disease that any nation has ever undertaken. The U.S. is now committing more to the global HIV/AIDS response than all the world’s other donor nations combined. 

For more information out PEPFAR and the Annual Report please visit www.state.gov/s/gac/.