Addis Ababa: U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Senior Bureau Official for Global Health Security and Diplomacy for Health Diplomacy, Ambassador John Nkengasong announced the approval of the 111 million USD Country Operational Plan 2023 (COP23).
According to the US Embassy in Addis Ababa, the financial support has come through the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program to support Ethiopia’s continued response to end HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Ethiopian Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba, along with The US Ambassador to Ethiopia Ervin Massinga, attended the virtual event and gave remarks.
The COP23 Year 2 plan represents ongoing cooperation between PEPFAR and the Ministry of Health to develop joint programming to support the needs of people living with HIV in Ethiopia, it was learned.
The approval announced by Ambassador Nkengasong ensures a continuation of this programming, which will ensure Ethiopia is on track to achieve epidemic control by 2030.
PEPFAR, with the
Ministry of Health and various stakeholders, has designed a plan focused on closing gaps in HIV prevention, care, and treatment for key populations and addressing geographic disparities.
The plan will prioritize improving HIV services in conflict-affected areas, enhancing case-finding strategies, and reaching vulnerable populations such as children, adolescents, and gender-based violence survivors.
Over the past 21 years, PEPFAR has invested approximately 3 billion USD to support the HIV/AIDS response in Ethiopia, the embassy said.
PEPFAR’s investments have helped strengthen the health system through workforce development, improved infrastructure to support HIV services, and supported the establishment of referral laboratories and a national health information system to address HIV.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency
The European Union in partnership with National Legal Aid Service (NLAS), has donated 12 vehicles to enhance delivery and access to justice across the country.
The EU under the programme for Legal Empowerment and Aid Deliver (PLEAD), started in 2020 in response to access to justice.
Speaking during the flag-off, the Attorney General (AG), Justin Muturi, noted that the journey was a critical milestone and acknowledged the EU for their support to Kenya by ensuring members of public’s access to social justice.
He said that the Constitution provides a framework to support the marginalized and vulnerable groups.
Muturi said that the EU has made it possible for various citizens to access public services through donation of vehicle to counties. The counties to benefit are Wajir, Mandera, Lamu, Tana River, Garissa, Marsabit, Isiolo, Kisumu, Nairobi, Mombasa, Uasin Gishu and Nakuru Counties. He said that NLAS is working towards extending their services, to all 47 counties.
The AG reiterated that NLAS and the EU’s
aim is to ensure the marginalized communities access Justice, which will help in the creation of awareness.
The EU Ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger, stated that the EU has invested 70 million euros in the programme, terming it the largest investment by the EU in the justice sector reform in Sub-Saharan Africa.
‘What is Justice if it is not serving all the people of the country in equal measure,’ posed Geiger, as she urged NLAS to make good use of the Vehicles that will see justice served to all.
The Solicitor General, Shadrack Mose, noted that NLAS has made tremendous achievement and was very delighted to witness the milestone in the implementation of the program.
He added that the occasion fulfils the government’s goal to transform lives through empowerment of individuals, families and communities, by providing high quality legal services.
Mose noted that the initiative also serves to support the delivery of NLAS mission to promote, provide and coordinate quality affordable, sustainable and account
able legal services to the marginalized, indigent and vulnerable members of the society.
Solicitor General further requested the EU to continue partnering with NLAS and ensure that the program is extended, insisting that the support from NLAS, will be felt across the country and become one of the key milestones.
He assured that the Office of the Attorney General, will give support in the maintenance of the vehicles to serve and support the lives of Kenyans.
Source: Kenya News Agency