The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)

The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has provided resources and support for communities around the world to meet the challenges of the AIDS pandemic.  Globally, PEPFAR is on track to exceed its original commitment of $15 billion over five years (2004 – 2008), and by the end of fiscal year 2008, the American people will have invested $18.3 billion in the global fight against HIV and AIDS.  PEPFAR is an umbrella program that includes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Peace Corps, the Department of Labor (DOL), Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) the Department of Defense (DOD) and the State Department.  All of these U.S. Government agencies work as one team to strategically support national plans.

Here in the Mountain Kingdom, PEPFAR Lesotho works closely with the National AIDS Commission, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and other stakeholders to implement key areas of Lesotho’s 2006–2011 National HIV & AIDS Strategic Plan.  From October 2007 through September 2008, over US$12 million has been allocated for the following activities: prevention of sexual transmission of HIV, prevention of mother to child transmission,  integration of TB and HIV service delivery including laboratory services, universal access to HIV testing and counseling, assistance in alleviating the human resources crisis in Lesotho, support for the roll-out of the National Monitoring and Evaluation Framework at both district and central levels, strengthening procurement and supply chain management systems and supporting the development and implementation of the national behavior change communications strategy.