Addis Ababa — President Girma Wolde-Giorgis said the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC) could play crucial role in prevention and control of HIV/AIDS since the church has immense human resource and closer ties with the public.

Girma said the church could make immense contributions toward the prevention and control of the pandemic since church services are available in every urban and rural area.

The president made the statement yesterday at the launching here of its Five-Year HIV/AIDS prevention and control strategic plan.

The church has been undertaking commendable activities in assisting people living with the virus and orphans as well as in raising the awareness of the public on HIV/AIDS, Girma said, adding that the church should further strengthen ongoing anti-HIV/AIDS intervention activities in a bid to contain the spread of the pandemic.

The president expressed his firm commitment that the church can indeed bring about observable achievements in efforts geared toward prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in the country.

Speaking on the occasion, EOC Patriarch Abune Paulos said the church has been undertaking various activities with a view to containing the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing assistances to HIV/AIDS-affected compatriots.

Abune Paulos said the five-year HIV/AIDS prevention strategic plan would help to coordinate and expand anti HIV/AIDS intervention activities in 380 woredas of the nation.

Some 5 million US dollars for the execution of the five-year strategic plan, the patriarch said, adding the church would cover 75 percent of the stated sum.

Charge d' Affaires of the USA, Ambassador Vicki Huddleston said on her part it is expected that there are more than 800,000 HIV/AIDS-orphaned children in Ethiopia at present.

Ambassador Huddleston also said some 1.8 million Ethiopians will die of HIV/AIDS until 2008, if present trends continue.

UNAIDS theme group chair, Bjorn Ljungqvist said on the occasion mass social mobilization effort is the most important factor in fighting against HIV/AIDS.

He said spiritual and moral leaders can set the example of breaking the silence and stigma around the disease and demonstrate compassion to suffering human beings.