Mozambique: Maputo Granted US $11.5 Million for HIV/Aids Programme

9 October 2001
UN Integrated Regional Information Networks

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has granted US $11.5 million dollars to Mozambique for an anti-HIV/AIDS programme, AFP reported on Tuesday.

The programme, called the Development Corridor of Hope, will involve individuals and communities living along the Maputo Development Corridor - a key road and rail link between South Africa and Mozambique - in the distribution of information designed to combat HIV/AIDS and encourage safe sexual practices, the report said.

The southern provinces of Gaza and Inhambane, where large numbers of people are infected, would also be covered by the programme. Many Mozambican workers from Gaza and Inhambane moved to South Africa to work in the mines and are believed to have brought AIDS back to their native provinces from the neighbouring country.

According to the report, Mozambique's anti-AIDS programme would also aim to improve health care for those living with HIV/AIDS and to tackle the discrimination they encountered in their communities.

An agreement formalising the grant for the programme from the US government agency was signed late Monday by USAID country director Cynthia Rozell and Graca Machel, Mozambique's former first lady and now head of local non-governmental organisation, the Community Development Foundation (FDC). The FDC will oversee the implementation of the programme.

Copyright © 2001 UN Integrated Regional Information Networks. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

AllAfrica publishes around 800 reports a day from more than 140 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.