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New U.S. Ambassador pledges additional support
United States Embassy Public Affairs Section, Harare
December 11, 2009

Five Zimbabwean HIV and AIDS activists received awards today as the United States government pledged to scale up support to anti-retroviral treatment in the country.

The five recipients - filmmaker Hopewell Chin'ono, Batanai Support Group in Masvingo, football administrator Chris Sambo, pediatrician Rose Kambarami and Barclays Bank Zimbabwe Limited - were honored at the 2009 Auxillia Chimusoro Awards ceremony held in Harare on Thursday. The five were recognized for their outstanding contribution in mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS in the fields of communications, community participation, leadership and corporate social responsibility respectively.

The awards ceremony - financed by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) - was attended by members of various HIV/AIDS support groups, senior government officials, diplomats and Emmy Award winning actress and Population Services International (PSI) Ambassador Debra Messing.

Congratulating the winners, U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Charles A. Ray, told delegates that his country would continue its strong partnership with Zimbabwe to contain HIV/AIDS. "We are expecting an additional $46 million (for HIV and AIDS support in Zimbabwe) in 2010. In Zimbabwe, in 2009, the U.S. Government supported anti-retroviral therapy for 40,000 Zimbabweans in need of care and, in 2010, we will increase that number by nearly fifty percent," said Ray.

Since 2000, the US has provided over $200 million in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe where the pandemic has been devastating. Ambassador Ray said over the next five years, the United States will partner with other nations - including Zimbabwe - to build the long-term sustainability of their national HIV/AIDS responses.

Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr. Henry Madzorera, had earlier noted that "while HIV prevalence has been declining, the number of people accessing anti-retroviral therapy has been increasing." The Minister hailed the improved coordination under the Zimbabwe National HIV/AIDS strategy in combating HIV and AIDS.

"My ministry and our partners, including donor agencies and civil society organizations, are making concerted efforts to ensure Zimbabweans have access to HIV services as a fundamental human right," said Madzorera.

Messing, who toured several USAID funded projects in Harare and surrounding areas, applauded the united approach exhibited by Zimbabweans and international partners in combating the spread of HIV. "In a region ravaged by HIV, Zimbabwe has made extensive strides to stem the spread of this disease," said Messing. "Though I am deeply saddened to see the devastation the disease has caused, I am filled with hope when I see the incredible team of people, local leaders, NGOs, the donor community and the people of Zimbabwe who are joining together in the fight against HIV/AIDS."

Her sentiments were echoed by USAID Director, Karen Freeman, whose organization has taken a lead in implementing the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) strategy. This strategy complements Zimbabwe's own National Plan, aiming to strengthen the will and capacity of all to take effective action against HIV/AIDS.

"There is growing evidence in Zimbabwe that our joint efforts are starting to make a difference where it counts the most - a decreasing trend in the number of people who are becoming infected," said Karen Freeman, Director of USAID.

"We are working together, with all of our local partners, in support of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, to create a new vision for Zimbabwe - one where there are fewer people infected and affected with the disease," said Freeman.

The awards are named after Auxillia Chimusoro, who was among the first persons in Zimbabwe to disclose her HIV positive status. Born in rural Gokomere, she rose to international prominence by virtue of her bravery, leadership, common sense and good humor in defense of human rights for HIV-infected people, particularly the right to medical care and medicine.

will be elevated in government from his post as co-Minister of National Healing to second Vice President of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe's ambassador to South Africa Simon Khaya Moyo, 64, will be recalled from Pretoria after he was elected to replace Nkomo as the party's national chairman.

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