THE United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) will invest approximately N$840 million (US$45 million) in providing health and social services to vulnerable children, adolescents, and youth in Namibia.
During her visit to Namibia recently, PEPFAR Namibia deputy principal for USAID Tamara Cox said the five-year ‘Reach Namibia’ programme is operational in eight regions where 80% of the country’s population reside.
“The children and youth who were made vulnerable by HIV in these regions will experience improved access to health and social services to prevent them from contracting HIV and to stay AIDS-free,” she stated.
The Reach Namibia programme will be managed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by two local organisations: Project Hope Namibia operating in Khomas, Oshana, Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, and Zambezi regions, and Intrahealth Namibia operating in Kavango East and West.
Cox highlighted: “Reach Namibia is building on the successes of our Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored and Safe (DREAMS) programme as well as activities that have improved the lives of orphans and vulnerable children, especially those living with HIV through our Namibia Adherence and Retention Project. Through this new programme, USAID will reach out to those children and youths who have yet to be reached, including adolescent boys and young men made vulnerable by the HIV.”
USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for Africa Maria Price Detherage praised Reach Namibia for its focus on fortifying young Namibians and their communities to meet the health ministry’s goal of 97-97-97 by 2028 in Namibia.
Detherage also visited Angola and Botswana before coming to Namibia to share USAID’s broader vision for the sub-Saharan Africa, which includes increased programming to tackle food insecurity intensified by climate change and improve countries’ resilience to its impact.
“Climate change contributes to increased floods and droughts which threaten food security all over Africa, and Namibia is particularly prone and vulnerable to these adverse weather effects. Food insecurity threatens Namibia’s ability to maintain HIV epidemic control and become AIDS-free as ART adherence is difficult on an empty stomach,” she highlighted.