World AIDS Day - December 1, 2006

			“HIV/AIDS is a global health crisis and a constant struggle for many of our families, friends, and neighbors. On World AIDS Day, we underscore our commitment to fight the AIDS pandemic with compassion and decisive action." -President George W. Bush World AIDS Day December 1, 2006 The American people are committed to an ongoing partnership with the people of the world to combat HIV/AIDS. PEPFAR was developed as a five-year catalytic program, intended to demonstrate that in partnership with host nations, effective programs for prevention, treatment, and care are possible - even in the most difficult places. The results PEPFAR has achieved have proved this point.
	In President Bush’s statement for World AIDS Day, he announced the new number of men, women and children receiving antiretroviral treatment with support from the Emergency Plan. He also announced the first round of grant awards under the New Partners Initiative. These partnerships build the capacity of the new partner organizations at the community level, while also building local ownership of HIV/AIDS responses for the long term. Local people are leading the fight in their own nations and communities, buoyed by the generosity and goodwill of the American people.

Photo Diary: World AIDS Day

On World AIDS Day, December 1, 2006, Eric M. Bost, U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, traveled to Diepsloot in Guateng Province in South Africa to see a PlayPump in action. The innovative PlayPump water system is powered by children's play. It consists of a merry-go-round attached to a water pump and provides a sustainable and child-friendly water delivery system. Complementing the PlayPump installations are positive living messages featuring the image of Kami, the HIV-positive Muppet from Takalani Sesame.