Times Live (South Africa) (09.18.12) Aids Weekly Plus

In response to questioning at the National Council of Provinces, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe of South Africa announced that the country will continue to receive the same amount of funding from the United States AIDS relief program for the next two years; however, funds will be reduced from 2014-2017. The US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has funded South Africa’s response to HIV. In 2010, the US Congress decided to reduce PEPFAR funding to all countries. As a result, South Africa’s assistance will be reduced significantly over a five-year period. Deputy President Motlanthe explained that during his visit to the 19th International AIDS Conference in Washington DC, he met with members of Congress and was successful in his request that PEPFAR funding levels be maintained for the next two years. South Africa will then have time to plan for the transition of services. There will be a 50 percent reduction in funding in the years 2014-2017, from US $460 million to US $250 million. The United States reacted favorably to South Africa’s successful response to HIV and AIDS and the country's increases in domestic allocation to the HIV and TB National Strategic plan. Thus, the United States has committed to continue supporting prevention programs, strengthening health systems, and providing assistance for orphans and vulnerable children. The US government also committed to providing support for new evidence-based programs, if South Africa presents a strong case and applies for new resources.