MELBOURNE, Australia CMC — The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) said over US$500 million will be allocated for new efforts to reach an aids-free generation in the Caribbean and other places.

The new programmes will support implementation of the blueprint for US President Barak Obama’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), USAID said.

Announced at the 20th International AIDS Conference, USAID said the investments illustrate how it is supporting the next phase of PEPFAR, and the global HIV and AIDS response.

“With this substantial investment, USAID and PEPFAR are better able to sustain a lasting impact in the global fight against HIV and AIDS,” said USAID Assistant Administrator for Global Health, Ariel Pablos-Méndez.

“By strengthening high-impact interventions, engaging key populations, and supporting the capacity of local partners and host country governments, we know that it is possible to accelerate the end of this epidemic and realise the promise of an AIDS-free generation,” he added.

USAID said the awards include US$250 million that will be implemented over five years for strengthening the impact interventions for AIDS-Free Generation.

It said the award also comprises USAID’s Linkages Across the Continuum of HIV Services for Key Populations Affected by HIV (LINKAGES), a US$73 million award that will also be implemented over five years.