Press Release: Irish Government Announces Agreement with Clinton Foundation to Support HIV/AIDS Work in Lesotho and Mozambique

Irish Aid is extending its previous 50 Million Euro commitment to support the Clinton Foundation's HIV/AIDS Work.

President Bill Clinton and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern signed an agreement today under which the government of Ireland will contribute 70 million Euros to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Mozambique and Lesotho. In close partnership with the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative (CHAI) and the governments of these two countries, this support from Irish Aid will fund the implementation of critical care, treatment and prevention programs in each country.

President Clinton and Prime Minister Ahern signed the original Memorandum of Understanding between CHAI and the government of Ireland in July 2003. Under this agreement, the government of Ireland became the first donor country to partner with CHAI, allocating up to 50 million euros over five years in support of HIV/AIDS care, treatment and prevention programs in Mozambique. These funds have supported the purchase of antiretroviral medicines, pediatric care and treatment, human resources support, and infrastructure.

Irish Aid is Lesotho's biggest and longest standing donor in international aid. In November 2005, Irish Aid and CHAI began working together to establish priority areas for health sector funding and identified these as clinical mentorship; ARV procurement and supply management; scaling up treatment in rural areas; and the recruitment and training of human resources. The majority of these funds for will be used to support CHAI's Pediatric Initiative in collaboration with Partners In Health. This program will bring high quality healthcare, including HIV/AIDS care and treatment, to those living in remote rural areas, where the effects of the AIDS epidemic are often most acute and healthcare services are least available.

“Bertie Ahern's leadership on HIV/AIDS has been exemplary,” said President Clinton at the signing in Dublin. “The support of the Irish Government has brought lifesaving care and treatment to many in Mozambique and Lesotho, and I am grateful for their generosity. I also commend the Governments of Mozambique and Lesotho for their leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS.”

“Since the end of his Presidency Bill Clinton has worked to transform AIDS from a death sentence into a manageable disease,” said Prime Minister Ahern. “He has brokered deals to make HIV drugs affordable and readily available. He has used his influence with world leaders to make the plight of their HIV positive population a problem they could not ignore. Ireland is proud to support the President and the work of his Foundation.

“The first three years of our relationship with the Clinton Foundation has yielded real results for the people of Mozambique, that is the most important thing, development cooperation must be about results. I look forward to seeing similar progress in Lesotho over the coming years.”

CHAI has partnered with the government of Mozambique in the fight against HIV/AIDS since 2002 and the government of Lesotho since 2005. In each country, CHAI has played an integral role in making HIV/AIDS care and treatment possible for all populations living with HIV/AIDS, including children and those living in rural areas.

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