§ Keith VazTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance she is giving to countries in Africa to help combat AIDS. [78926]
§ Clare ShortHIV/AIDS is one of the most important development challenges facing Africa. My Department committed over £180 million in HIV and sexual health programmes in Africa in 2001–02. DFID's overall programme in Africa is set to increase from £640 million to £1 billion by 2006, and HIV/AIDS will remain one of our highest priorities for the region.
Internationally, a further US $200 million has been pledged towards the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, £16 million to support the Microbicides for HIV Prevention Initiative, and £14 million to the IAVI (the international AIDS Vaccine Initiative). Considerable additional resources have also been committed to the United Nations and to civil society organisations to combat this disease and support those already living with it.