Indonesia and America Building on Success in Fighting HIV/AIDS

December 01, 2011

JAKARTA -- World AIDS Day is both a day of remembrance and a day of celebration.  As we approach 30 years of HIV/AIDS, we reflect on the more than 30 million people around the globe that lost their lives to this devastating disease, and pledge our support to the more than 34 million people worldwide who live with HIV/AIDS.  It is also a day to celebrate those whose lives have been saved in Indonesia and throughout the world.  On this World AIDS Day, it is important to remember that everybody shares in the responsibility of making smart choices to save more lives.
 
The U.S. Government is committed to working in partnership with the Government of Indonesia and local communities to stem the spread of HIV/AIDS.  Jointly with the Ministry of Health, National AIDS Commission, and civil society organization, we support those affected and engaged in the fight against HIV/AIDS.  U.S. Government activities support and strengthen the Government of Indonesia’s response to the epidemic, build the capacity of civil society organizations that provide services to affected populations, and support for the National AIDS Commission’s Indonesia Partnership Fund.  In 2011, the USG contributed $13 million in bilateral assistance to Indonesia's HIV program. In addition, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and malaria disbursed $27 million to Indonesia for HIV grants in 2011; the US contributes approximately 30 percent of total Global Fund resources."
 
Globally, the U. S. Government supports people and programs that work every day to provide HIV prevention, treatment, and care to millions. Our commitment continues in this important effort.  President Barack Obama put forward an ambitious Global Health Initiative, which will support coordinated programs aimed at reducing lives lost from a wide range of health challenges, including HIV/AIDS.  It builds on the success of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and other global health programs.
 
While progress has been made in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Indonesia and across the globe, much more remains to be done. In Bali this past month, Presidents Yudhoyono and Obama reaffirmed their commitment to work together to meet our shared goal of stemming the spread of HIV/AIDS through the U.S.-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership.  Secretary of State Clinton has called on the world to create the first 'AIDS-free generation' by using antiviral drugs, condoms, and other approaches to stem the spread of HIV.  It is a hopeful moment in the fight against HIV/AIDS. On this World AIDS Day, we recognize how far we have come, and acknowledge the lengths we still must travel. Guided by science, in a spirit of shared responsibility, we can achieve the goal of an AIDS-free generation.
 
For more information, please contact: Roman Woronowycz, USAID Development and Outreach: 6221-3435-9424, or rworonowycz@usaid.gov.