§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's assistance to Malawi. [98613]
§ Clare ShortIn September 1998 I placed a copy of our Country Strategy Paper in the Library of the House. This sets out our plans to promote poverty reduction, equity and human rights in Malawi. We are supporting the Malawi Government's commitment to poverty reduction with a rising programme, focused particularly on promoting more effective government, better access to health and education, secure livelihoods, and human rights, for poor people.
§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance she is giving to Malawi to tackle the problem of HIV/Aids. [98614]
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§ Clare ShortI have just approved a £35 million contribution for Sexual and Reproductive Health in Malawi. This will help the government to implement its HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan, which President Muluzi launched on 29 October. Funds will be used to promote behaviour change, to supply condoms and medicines for sexually transmitted infections and to train health workers. This complements £26 million of other projects dealing with sexual health issues, TB and safe motherhood. HIV prevention and mitigation measures are being incorporated in other Department for International Development programmes.