United States avails $35 million to assist HIV infected orphans

Chenge Murimwa

The United States has launched a five year programme valued at $35 million that will assist 250 000 HIV infected orphans and vulnerable children in nine districts in Zimbabwe. The funding will assist 59 500 households and 15 000 vulnerable youth.

USAID Zimbabwe mission director, Stephanie Funk, said: “USAID’s Pathways program will ensure that HIV-affected and infected children can access health services, including HIV prevention, care and treatment, as well as the prevention of and response to gender-based violence.”

Pathways will put communities on a path to self-reliance by building capacity in local institutions to provide a comprehensive set of services that improve health, nutrition, and psycho-social well-being of HIV-affected and infected children.

The programme is funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), through USAID. Pathways will be implemented by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, Ministry of Health and Child Care, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Child Protection Services, and local communities, among others.

Although much progress has been made in the past decade, HIV remains one of the top health threats facing the people of Zimbabwe. Since the year 2000, over 1.2 million adults have died from AIDS, leaving 16 percent of Zimbabwean children orphaned by one or both of their parents. The United States Government, through PEPFAR, supports lifesaving treatment for nearly 1 million Zimbabweans living with HIV.