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ADB Supports HIV/AIDS Prevention Activities in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Viet Nam

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (14 August 2001) - Community-based HIV/AIDS prevention activities will be implemented in Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) and Viet Nam in a bid to decrease the impact of the epidemic in the region through a US$8 million grant approved by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The grant will be financed through the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR).

The project will target high-risk groups including migrants and mobile groups such as fishing communities, transport, sex and hospitality workers, police and military personnel and construction workers who are vulnerable to HIV infection due to their work, living environment and lack of social support.

The project aims to provide a comprehensive range of HIV/AIDS prevention activities in strategic areas or "hot spots" where HIV is easily transmitted and strengthen the capacity of national and local HIV authorities and selected nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to develop community-based prevention and care programs. The community-based activities include:

Behavior change communication activities for host communities and mobile populations;
Promoting the use of condoms through social marketing; and
Care and management of sexually transmitted infection (STI).

The project will also support capacity-building activities that include development of models for AIDS care in Cambodia which can be adapted in the other two countries; training teachers and community workers on HIV/AIDS prevention and control; and facilitate learning from Thailand's experience.

HIV/AIDS infection is one of the major public health challenges in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Viet Nam, affecting almost all provinces and population. The share of HIV/AIDS-related illnesses in the sub-region is expected to triple in the next 20 years, unless preventive measures are undertaken.

The ADB will finance 80 percent of the total cost of the Project while the governments of the three countries will finance the balance. The Ministries of Health in Cambodia and Lao PDR and the National Committee for Population and Family Planning in Viet Nam will be executing agencies for the TA, scheduled for completion in June 2003.

Funded by the Japanese Government, the JFPR with total resources of ¥17.9 billion yen (approximately US$145 million) was established in May 2000 to provide grants for poverty reduction activities that add substantive value to projects financed by ADB.

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