United States Global AIDS Coordinator Recevies Mother Teresa Humanitarian Award

February 28, 2008

NEW DELHI –Ambassador Mark Dybul M.D., Coordinator of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, and Dr. Peter Piot, Executive Director, UNAIDS, were presented with the first Mother Teresa International Humanitarian Award by Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, the former President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India. George Deikun, USAID India’s Mission Director, accepted the award on behalf of Ambassador Dybul, who was unable to attend the function.

The “Blessed Mother Teresa International Humanitarian Award” instituted in 2008 by the Health Commission of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the same humanitarian concerns exemplified by Mother Teresa. Both men were honored for their work in fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic around the world.

“I am honored to receive this award, but the credit really goes to the courageous people in nations devastated by HIV/AIDS who are saving the lives of their countrymen and women,” said Ambassador Dybul. “The American people are proud to be working in partnership with these local leaders.”

Ambassador Dybul serves as the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, leading the implementation of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). PEPFAR is the largest commitment ever by a single nation toward an international health initiative – a five year, $15 billion comprehensive approach to combating the disease around the world. He previously served as the Deputy and Assistant U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. Before coming to the Coordinator’s Office, Ambassador Dybul served on the Planning Task Force for the Emergency Plan, and led the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s International Prevention of Mother and Child HIV Initiative. Ambassador Dybul is also a former member of the World Health Organization's Writing Committee to develop global HIV therapy guidelines and an early advocate for making antiretroviral medicines available a low cost to the developing world.

Dr. Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS since its creation in 1995 and Under Secretary-General of the United Nations, has had a distinguished academic and scientific career focusing on AIDS and women’s health in the developing world. Under his leadership, UNAIDS has become the chief advocate for worldwide action against AIDS.

The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) employs the most diverse prevention, treatment and care strategy in the world, with an emphasis on transparency and accountability for results. The goals of the Emergency Plan’s first five years include support for treatment for two million HIV-infected people, support for prevention of seven million new infections, and support for care for 10 million people infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. On May 30, 2007, President George W. Bush proposed that Congress reauthorize PEPFAR for five additional years and $30 billion additional dollars, which would bring the American people’s 10-year commitment on global HIV/AIDS to more than $48 billion. For more information about PEPFAR, please visit www.PEPFAR.gov.