Largest Global Fund grant for HIV prevention programming with MSM, hijra and tra

[Guest guest]

Dear colleagues,

The largest single-country Global Fund grant for HIV prevention programming with

MSM, hijra and transgender communities was signed this week in a special

ceremony in India attended by Michel Kazatchkine (Executive Director of the

Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria), K. Chandramouli, Secretary

and Director General of National AIDS Control Organisation, and many civil

society members.

___________

PRESS RELEASE

Largest Global Fund grant for HIV prevention programming with MSM, hijra and

transgender communities signed in India

8th September, 2010: Professor Michel Kazatchkine, Executive Director of the

Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, signed a US $25 million

grant (115 crore rupees) with India HIV/AIDS Alliance, the largest Global Fund

grant to date to strengthen men who have sex with men (MSM), hijra and

transgender communities in their fight against HIV.

The signing ceremony was held under the auspices of K. Chandramouli, Secretary

and Director General of National AIDS Control Organisation, in their office at

New Delhi.

Investing in the health of populations at risk of HIV infection has been a high

priority for India. The national HIV prevalence among MSM is estimated at 7.41%.

This has been attributed to low awareness levels, unsafe sexual practices,

inadequate services, and social marginalisation.

Professor Kazatchkine observed, " This work is of great importance, involving

civil society working with marginalised groups and linking these populations to

government systems. "

This new five-year grant will support 200 community-based organisations in 17

states and reach more than 450,000 MSM, hijras and transgenders. The project

will be implemented by India HIV/AIDS Alliance and six regional partners that

have pioneered HIV programming for these populations.

India HIV/AIDS Alliance is a non-government organisation (NGO) that supports

communities to reduce the spread of HIV and to meet the challenges of AIDS.

Since its inception in 1999, Alliance India has been a leader in fostering the

development of community-driven approaches to HIV prevention, care and support.

on, Country Director of India HIV/AIDS Alliance added, " The Global

Fund has been a major partner in supporting India's response to the HIV

epidemic. This new grant reflects the strong commitment of both the Global Fund

and the Indian Government to address HIV in those communities most vulnerable to

infection. "

MSM, hijra and transgender communities in India have been making steady progress

in fighting HIV, and this new grant will contribute significantly to these

efforts.