Written Answers. - Global HIV-AIDS Incidence.
Eamon Gilmore
Question:
184
Mr. Gilmore
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if his attention has been drawn to the severe hardship being experienced by many families in Uganda as a result of the AIDS-HIV problem; if he will consider increasing the financial allocation available to Irish aid organisations working in Uganda to help deal with the critical situation in view of the fears that money channelled directly through the Ugandan government does not trickle down to those most affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[23194/00]
I am keenly aware that the disease of HIV-AIDS is causing extreme suffering and hardship for many individuals and their dependants in Uganda. Out of an overall population of 21.2 million, approximately 1.9 million Ugandans are infected with HIV according to the Uganda Poverty Status Report 2000. AIDS has been reported as one of the leading causes of death in adults and there were an estimated 1.7 million AIDS orphans in Uganda by the end of last year. Life expectancy in Uganda has fallen from 48 to 42 in the last decade and the HIV-AIDS epidemic has been the major factor in this regard.
The extent of this problem and the impact it is having on development in Uganda and throughout sub-Saharan Africa requires a substantive and coherent response from the international community and from governments of affected countries. Though now late in the epidemic, there is at this point a much greater global recognition of the extent of the disease and as a result, a substantive volume of international resources has been mobilised for HIV-AIDS prevention and containment.
The Government of Uganda responded early and comprehensively to the problem of HIV-AIDS in Uganda and the President has never wasted an opportunity to highlight the extent of the problem of HIV-AIDS and the need for a systematic and sustained response. Since the early 1990's, the Government has instituted a multi-sectoral response to HIV-AIDS that has resulted in a very significant decrease in the annual incidence of the disease. Recent data would indicate that the prevalence of HIV-AIDS in Uganda has decreased from over 14% of adults in the early 1990's to approx. 9% in 1999.
There is a recognition also in Uganda that HIV-AIDS will continue to present a huge challenge to poverty reduction and development for many years ahead and that attempts to control the disease will need to be sustained. Furthermore, the response of the government of Uganda to HIV-AIDS is now being highlighted by the international community as an example to be followed by other poorer countries being faced with a similar burden of HIV-AIDS.
A specific HIV-AIDS strategy was launched by Minister of State, Liz O'Donnell in January 2000, in response to the huge threat HIV-AIDS presents to the development of countries which benefit from the support of the Irish Government's bilateral aid programme, known as Ireland Aid. This strategy provides for the allocation of a very considerable volume of resources for HIV-AIDS activities across the Ireland Aid programme.
Uganda is one of Ireland Aid's six priority countries. Ireland Aid has allocated substantive financial resources in support of HIV-AIDS interventions in Uganda over the next three years, in line with its overall HIV-AIDS strategy and in response to the huge challenge of HIV-AIDS in Uganda. In addition, very substantial resources have been allocated for the development of the health sector. Clearly financial resources will be directed to interventions that are demonstrated to be effective and that are situated within the framework of the Government of Uganda's national strategic framework for HIV-AIDS activities. This framework has been agreed between Government, international agencies and civil society organisations.
I think it is appropriate at this juncture, during the week in which the President of Uganda is paying a State visit to Ireland, to congratulate President Museveni publicly on the excellent leadership he has demonstrated, within Africa, in the wake of the enormous threat posed by this disease. Our Government remains committed to working closely with his Government and civil society in Uganda in addressing this disease and will ensure that support for HIV-AIDS remains an important part of our programme of cooperation with Uganda.
In addition to support for HIV-AIDS interventions undertaken by the Government and civil society in Uganda, Ireland Aid has a budget this year of £7.37 million available to Irish aid organisations, under its co-financing scheme with non-governmental organisations, for development projects which meet basic needs such as primary health care. Following the Taoiseach's recent announcement at the UN Millennium Summit in New York of the Government's commitment to reach the UN development target of 0.7% of GNP by 2007, it is anticipated that funding available to Irish aid organisations under the co-financing scheme will increase from next year.
