Peace Corps has said it’s working directly with people living with HIV, community-level institutions such as schools and health centers, while currently supporting HIV/AIDS prevention efforts in 13 United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) countries.
Director of Peace Corps, Caro Spahn who made this known at the 20th anniversary of PEPFAR on Saturday, said this support is made possible by the staff, Volunteers, and community counterparts collaborating to organize and lead activities.
“Such as delivering Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe (DREAMS) programming, creating community gardens to support the nutritional needs of people living with HIV, and generating demand for testing and self-testing.
“The Peace Corps’ continued presence in underserved communities, our work with youth, and our longstanding partnerships with local health actors continue to be effective contributions to the coordinated HIV/AIDS response”.
On this anniversary, Spahn said the Corps have challenged itself to increase its efforts to amplify community leaders who are dedicated to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.
“Brace opportunities for young people, and to work with partners to more systematically localize efforts for sustained epidemic control. As the world move toward AIDS-free generation, the Corps is committed to contributing to the end of the HIV/AIDS by 2030”, she said.
Spahn stated that the Corps acknowledge the 20th anniversary of PEPFAR and honor the tremendous progress this coordinated US Govt effort has made toward eliminating HIV/AIDS as a public health threat.
She added that since the launch by President Bush in 2003, PEPFAR has helped save more than 25 million lives while thanked the compassion and generosity of the American people lives across the globe which makes it possible.
According to her, “Since PEPFAR’s inception, the Peace Corps has been a strategic partner of U.S. Govt’s response to HIV/AIDS and has played a unique role in targeting hard-to-reach, vulnerable populations and partnering with individuals.
“And communities to promote healthy behaviors and mitigate the impact of the disease. I am so grateful for Peace Corps Volunteers, community changemakers, and staff who have contributed to PEPFAR’s inspiring epidemic control achievements over the last two decades”, she said.
Secretary of State, Antony Blinken said in a statement to commemorate 20th of PEPFAR on Saturday, that with bipartisan support from the Congress and the generosity of the American people, PEPFAR has provided over 20.1 million people with life-saving HIV treatment in over 55 countries.
“These efforts have built, and continue to build, a stronger health infrastructure in many countries, improving health security and responses to other health crises such as COVID-19, mpox, and Ebola.
He pointed out that progress in ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic can be easily reversed without focused, sustained, and equitable action. “We cannot achieve our goal to end HIV/AIDS as a global health threat if we deny people’s rights or if we allow stigmatization and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS or those who are most vulnerable to acquiring HIV.
“As President Biden declared on World AIDS Day 2022, “e finally have the scientific understanding, treatments, and tools to build an AIDS-free future where everyone, no matter who they are, where they come from, or whom they love can get the care and respect they deserve.”
Adding that Biden’s Administration is committed to ensuring all LGBTQI+ individuals are treated with dignity and respect, closing pernicious gender gaps, and ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
“It is incumbent upon us to maintain progress, follow the science, and address disparities and inequitable access to achieve our shared goals.
“Thank you to the many people across the world who have helped PEPFAR succeed over the previous twenty years and who are joining me today in recommitting to end HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. We look forward to marking PEPFAR’s twenty years of impact throughout 2023”, he said.