Grants to assist in fight against HIV epidemic

Two Ugu District community organisations have benefitted from grants from the United States government, through the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) HIV and Community Grants Programme.

The grantees are Fanele S’Bonge Community Based Care Centre in Umzumbe Local Municipality and Nonz Consulting Community Development Support in the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality.

The Ugu recipients and two organisations in the Harry Gwala District have collectively received grants to the tune of over R2.9 million for working everyday to control the HIV epidemic in their districts.

These organisations join 49 total grantees across South Africa this year, which were chosen from a highly competitive process and will receive over R36 million in total, up to R750 000 each.

The grantees aim to provide HIV testing services to over 48 000 people in South Africa; care and support for nearly 20 000 people living with HIV; targeted HIV prevention services to over 30 000, including an emphasis on services for adolescent girls and young women; and mobilise over 10 000 people for HIV-related services.

US PEPFAR recognises that community-based organisations must continue to be at the core of the HIV response in South Africa.

In a statement, the U.S. Embassy said, grassroots organisations are best positioned to reach their neighbours, family, and friends directly; mobilise them to access vital health services; and provide personalised, lifesaving care and support.

The Community Grants programme also builds capacity in community-based organisations, making it easier for them to get funding from both local and international sources in the future, so that they can continue to save lives for years to come.

In the past 16 years, the programme has invested in over 1,250 community-based organisations.

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