COTE D'IVOIRE: War hampers AIDS struggle

AIDS NGOs are concerned that Cote d'Ivoire's political unrest will hamper the disbursement of a recent Global Fund grant, the Inter Press Service (IPS) news agency reported on Wednesday.

The West African country was granted US $92 million by the Global Fund in January, but NGOs say the six-month civil war has made it difficult to operate freely.

"How will people living with HIV/AIDS in conflict zones take advantage of this grant? It will be hard to locate all those still alive, given the prevailing security situation in war zones," Urban Tiecoura of AIDS NGO, Luniere Action, said.

Meanwhile, the minister of social affairs, Clotilde Ohouochi, has assured all people living with HIV/AIDS that funds would be managed transparently.

Theme (s): Care/Treatment - PlusNews, Economy, Other,

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]