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World AIDS Day 2008

Monday 01 December 2008 is the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day. In the last 20 years significant progress has been made in the fight against HIV and AIDS. However, the human cost of the epidemic remains immense. Nearly 7,000 people every day are becoming infected with HIV and over 5,700 dying. For every two people put on treatment there are 5 people newly infected.

To find out more about how DFID is helping to combat the spread of HIV and AIDS, see our feature 20 years, 20 facts

Video message from Douglas Alexander

Video courtesy of International AIDS Alliance

Achieving Universal Access

Our commitment to tackle the spread of the disease remains a priority. In June 2008, DFID Secretary of State Douglas Alexander launched the UK government's new AIDS strategy ‘Achieving Universal Access’. This committed £6 billion to improving health systems and services in poor countries up to 2015. The strategy places particular emphasis upon prevention, as this is the best hope of stopping the epidemic. And in light of emerging evidence it sets outs a comprehensive approach that strengthens the health systems and services necessary for the international community to meet its goal of Universal Access.

Today (1st December) we have published a Monitoring and Evaluation document (PDF format; 299KB) for the updated AIDS strategy. This outlines how we will monitor performance and evaluate impact over the seven-year AIDS strategy. It will help identify progress as well as potential gaps in performance. We have also published a biennial report on our approach to Orphans and Vulnerable Children (PDF format; 110KB) - a commitment given in the AIDS strategy - following the Global Partners Forum. In the future it is our intention to incorporate the Orphans and Vulnerable Children report with the Monitoring and Evaluation report

Latest news:

01 December: Publication - AIDS strategy - Monitoring and Evaluation document (PDF; 299KB)

01 December: Publication - Biennial Report on Orphans and Vulnerable Children (PDF; 110KB)

30 November: Press release - DFID response to the IDC report on UK’s new HIV/AIDS strategy

29 November 2008: Press release - UK boost for South Africa in new struggle against AIDS

Links:

Official World AIDS Day website

Updated DFID AIDS strategy: Achieving Universal Access - 02 June 2008

Health facts and figures - DFID progress on health in the developing world

DFID's Health Strategy(PDF Format; 1.2 MB)

HIV and AIDS resources list(PDF Format; 258kB)