The US Government is committed to working in partnership with the Indonesian government and local communities to stem the spread of HIV/AIDS, the US embassy said in a statement on World AIDS Day here Thursday. 

"Jointly with the Ministry of Health, National AIDS Commission, and civil society organizations, we support those affected and engaged in the fight against HIV/AIDS," the embassy`s statement said.

US government activities support and strengthen the Indonesian government`s response to the epidemic, build the capacity of civil society organizations that provide services to affected populations, and support for the National AIDS Commission`s Indonesia Partnership Fund. 

In 2011, the US government contributed $13 million in bilateral assistance to Indonesia`s HIV program. In addition, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and malaria disbursed $27 million to Indonesia for HIV grants in 2011; the US contributes approximately 30 percent of total Global Fund resources.

Globally, the US government supports people and programs that work every day to provide HIV prevention, treatment, and care to millions. Our commitment continues in this important effort. 

President Barack Obama put forward an ambitious Global Health Initiative, which will support coordinated programs aimed at reducing lives lost from a wide range of health challenges, including HIV/AIDS. It builds on the success of the U.S. President?s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and other global health programs.

While progress has been made in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Indonesia and across the globe, much more remains to be done. 

In Bali this past month, Presidents Yudhoyono and Obama reaffirmed their commitment to work together to meet the two countries` shared goal of stemming the spread of HIV/AIDS through the US-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership.

Source: ANTARA