The US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in Vietnam will allot in total US$1.4 million for three HIV/AIDS initiatives in the nation, said a press release by the US Embassy Tuesday.

The first initiative – the HIV Care Local Partnership Initiative – will aid four projects by local and foreign non-governmental organization (NGO) to increase support for people living with HIV, orphans and vulnerable children.

The organizations to receive grants under the initiative include the Center for Community Health Promotion, CARE International in Vietnam, CESVI – an Italian NGO, and Health and Environment Services Development and Investment.

The projects will be implemented in northern localities including Quang Ninh Province and Hai Phong City, and central Nghe An Province from now until September next year.

The second initiative will help provide reproductive health and HIV/AIDS education for secondary school students.

The project will be carried out by Save the Children USA in Ho Chi Minh City, Quang Ninh and Quang Tri provinces until September 2010.

The third initiative will act to improve services for women living with HIV/AIDS in Vietnam.

The plan will be conducted by the Center for Community Health and Development, the Development Center for Promotion of Quality of Life, and Boston University’s Center for International Health and Development in northern Hai Phong City and Ho Chi Minh City until September 2009.

Vietnam is one of the 15 nations around the world receiving funds from the PEPFAR founded in 2003.

The US agency would fund totally $88 million for Vietnam this year, according to the statement.

Source: ThanhNien