CARE Welcomes White House Steps to Double Resources for Fight Against HIV and AIDS

ATLANTA (May 30, 2007) - Dr. Helene Gayle, president and CEO of CARE, today applauded the Bush administration's proposal to double funding to fight the global HIV and AIDS pandemic. "The proposed $30 billion and extension of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief represents a significant commitment in the fight against HIV and AIDS," Dr. Gayle said. "CARE has been involved in the fight more than a decade, and we have learned that a comprehensive approach is key. We hope this new funding will allow organizations engaged in combating AIDS to address the complexities that cause HIV to spread." she said.

CARE runs 150 HIV and AIDS programs in approximately 40 countries and implements programs that invest more than $40 million of PEPFAR's funds in nations including Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, South Africa and Tanzania. "Through our experience on the ground and on the front lines, we address HIV and AIDS as a development challenge, not just as a public health issue. The best way to prevent the virus from spreading is to make our efforts holistic to tackle the contributing factors that leave people vulnerable to HIV and AIDS."

"We believe that programs to fight the disease must be tailored to the communities where people live and the risks they face. Girls and women are especially at risk, so they need a variety of tools to prevent infection. PEPFAR must remain a critical component of the broader fight to help developing countries overcome poverty and prevent disease," Dr. Gayle explained.

"CARE looks forward to working with Congress and the president to build on the foundation laid in the first five years of PEPFAR," said Dr. Gayle.