LONDON, Dec 1 (AFP) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Monday called for decisive action against the "colossal" AIDS epidemic, as Britain said it would double its contribution to fight the disease worldwide.
"Unless we act now and decisively, the deepening poverty and instability (caused by the disease) will reach far beyond the parts of the world worst affected," Blair wrote in a letter published by the tabloid British newspaper The Sun.
"The scale and devastation of HIV and AIDS is colossal. No corner of the globe has escaped," Blair said on World AIDS Day, with more than 40 million people around the world either infected with HIV or suffering from AIDS.
"I am determined that this country will not just step up its efforts directly to tackle HIV/AIDS but will continue to offer the leadership needed to get the world to focus on what we must do together."
"It would be difficult for any country alone to deal with such a terrible tragedy -- impossible for countries already gripped by poverty. It needs the whole community acting together," he said.
"It is not just a moral duty, strong as it is. It is also in our own national interests."
Britain's International Development Secretary Hillary Benn said the government would double to six million pounds (10.3 million dollars, 8.6 million euros) next year its financial contribution against HIV/AIDS.
Benn said the international community should back an ambitious plan by the UN World Health Organization and UNAIDS launched Monday to provide life-saving anti-retroviral drugs to three million poor people with HIV or AIDS by 2005.
The program would cost 5.5 billion dollars, with the money to come primarily from governments worldwide.
While both Benn and Blair highlighted international efforts, the prime minister said Britain also had more to do at home.
"There is no reason for complacency here in the UK. While our levels of infection remain low compared to many of our European neighbours they are still increasing," he said.
About 45,000 people in Britain -- out of a population of 58 million -- are currently living with HIV/AIDS.
In comparison, more than 5.3 million South Africans, among 45 million residents, have HIV or AIDS.
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