PEPFAR Coordinator
Launched in 2003, U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), holds a place in history as the largest effort by any nation to combat a single disease. PEPFAR-Zimbabwe currently manages a US$ 95 million dollar (FY2014) program support HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention and care activities in Zimbabwe. It engages a number of partners in the public and private sectors, including government ministries and agencies, academic institutions, international and Zimbabwean non-governmental organizations, professional associations, faith based organizations, international organizations and other entities that provide HIV-related services. The program is implemented in Zimbabwe in cooperation and coordination with the Government of Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe PEPFAR program is guided by the global PEPFAR goals under the framework of the PEPFAR Blueprint:
1. Transition from an emergency response to promotion of sustainable country programs.
2. Strengthen partner government capacity to lead the response to this epidemic and other health demands.
3. Expand prevention, care, and treatment in concentrated and generalized epidemics.
4. Integrate and coordinate HIV/AIDS programs with broader global health and development programs to maximize impact on health systems.
5. Invest in innovation and operations research to evaluate impact, improve service delivery and maximize outcomes.
A PEPFAR Zimbabwe strategy is being finalized to further guide the country program towards specific objectives relevant to the Zimbabwe context to be achieved through PEPFAR investments through 2015.
USG HIV/AIDS activities in Zimbabwe fall under the responsibility of the PEPFAR/Zimbabwe Team, under the leadership of the Ambassador, with principle membership being the US Agency for International Development (USAID/Zimbabwe), the US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention office (HHS/CDC/Zimbabwe), the US Embassy Public Affairs Section (PAS), and US Embassy Political and Economic Office of Self-help Program. Issues addressed by the Team include PEPFAR program implementation (program planning, budgeting, oversight, and reporting), support and assistance to The Global Fund activities and coordination with the Government of Zimbabwe and other health sector donors on HIV/AIDS and health-related assistance.
Jason E. Bennett, Supervisory Executive Officer, Email jbennett@usaid.gov
