World Bank Press Release - April 1, 2004

"This grant aims to help the DRC to scale up its actions to prevent the further spread of HIV and to improve the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS in the Democratic Republic of Congo," said Keith Hansen, World Bank Manager of the AIDS Campaign Team for Africa. "The Multi-Country HIV/AIDS Program (MAP) for Africa is a long-term commitment representing our contribution to Africa's effort, as well as to the UNAIDS partnership and to the UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on HIV/AIDS and MDG goals."

The HIV/AIDS project will work in multiple sectors and aim to mitigate the negative impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on the stabilization, recovery, and development of the country. It will help strengthen the capacity of both the people living with HIV/AIDS and community-based organizations, as well as provide financing for activities in the area of prevention, care and treatment.

The grant will also empower local communities to identify priorities and implement micro-projects, which aim to change behaviors, improve the impact of prevention measures, and develop local responses to blunt the impact of the epidemic.

"Communities will identify, through a participatory diagnosis, their primary needs and basic development priorities into which HIV/AIDS activities will be included," said Suzanne Piriou-Sall, World Bank Task Team Leader for the project. "As a result, the HIV infected persons in the community will have a voice and major role in the implementation of the project.."

The DRC has the 23rd highest HIV/AIDS prevalence in Africa. The national HIV/AIDS program estimates that, as of 2003, about 3 million people live with HIV/AIDS, which represents an average prevalence rate of 5 percent among the adult population. But studies have indicated that infection rates within certain cohorts could top 20 percent.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a great public health problem and also a threat to economic recovery and development. The newly approved grant will help provide a sustainable and nation-wide response to the epidemic by: (i) reducing the risk of sexual and intravenous transmission of HIV; (ii) improving the health status and quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS; and (iii) mitigating the socio-economic impact of the epidemic on vulnerable groups.

For more information on the World Bank's work in the Democratic Republic of Congo visit: www.worldbank.org/afr/cd

Or for more on the Bank's HIV/AIDS program, visit: www.worldbank.org/aids

Media Contact in Washington:

Aby Toure (202) 473 8302

Akonate@worldbank.org

Media Contact in Kinshasa:

Louise Engulu

(243) 994-9015

Lengulu@worldbank.org

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