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U.S. and Malawi Sign Landmark HIV/AIDS Assistance Document

The United States and Malawi recently took a major step forward in the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS.  On May 18, U.S. Ambassador to Malawi Peter W. Bodde and Secretary to the Treasury Randson Mwadiwa signed a landmark document that establishes a new framework for the U.S. – Malawi partnership in fighting HIV/AIDS in the Malawi. 

Under the “Partnership Framework,” United States assistance in fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Malawi will double to US$45 million in FY09, with subsequent funding subject to annual appropriations and performance.  The document also establishes a new foundation on which the United States and Malawi will collaborate to improve the health policy environment in the country.

The new pact puts increased focus on reducing new HIV infections, while maintaining ongoing activities aimed at improving the quality of treatment and care and mitigating the impacts on individuals and households.  These objectives are to be achieved within a framework of enhanced Malawian leadership and ownership of the overall response.
Ambassador Bodde commented to the Malawian and American officials at the signing event, “Not only is this the first framework document of its kind, it will serve as the model for those that follow in other countries.  Your work in negotiating and finalizing this plan will undoubtedly have a tremendous impact on many people’s lives.  Let me emphasize however, negotiating and signing the document is the easy part – the real work of implementing it begins now.”  Secretary Mwadiwa warmly thanked the Ambassador for this new partnership arrangement between the two governments, and he committed his government to fully and successfully implementing the plan.

The “Partnership Framework” with Malawi is the first signed with any country following the reauthorization in 2008 of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR II).  The U.S. Mission in Malawi negotiated the document with Malawi’s Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women and Child Development, and other relevant agencies, coordinated through the National AIDS Commission.

The United States leads the world with its financial support in the global fight against HIV/AIDS.  Since the establishment of the initial PEPFAR legislation in 2004, the U.S. Government’s total contribution to this fight has risen from US$2.3 billion to US$6 billion in 2008.  The U.S. is also the largest contributor to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, providing over 33% of total contributions.