Press Release

U.S. Implementing Partners Adhere to Strict Monitoring & Evaluation Guidelines in Spending HIV/AIDS Funds

April 17, 2008

The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Emergency Plan/PEPFAR), holds a unique place in the history of public health for its size and scope. With an original commitment of $15 billion across 5 years, and a final funding level of $18.5 billion, it is the largest international health initiative in history dedicated to a single disease. With these resources come ambitious goals to support prevention of 7 million new infections, treatment of 2 million and care for 10 million, including orphans and vulnerable children. The success of PEPFAR is firmly rooted in partnerships between the American people and the people of the countries in which it is privileged to serve, including Tanzania. Our Tanzanian partners include the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, non-governmental organizations, faith and community-based organizations, and other bilateral donors.

The extraordinary amount of PEPFAR funding being provided worldwide however calls for a rigorous framework of monitoring and evaluation. All USG partners receiving funding must follow strict policy and protocol on reporting spending and results. Each year, PEPFAR is required to track each and every allocation and the result of that spending is reported back to the United States Congress.

This accountability for each and every taxpayer's dollar is essential and depends on accurate information. Information about the PEPFAR system is also transparent and available to the public either through the PEPFAR/Tanzania Media Outreach Coordinator in the U.S. Mission in Dar es Salaam, or on-line at www.pepfar.gov.

As the Tanzanian Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Phillip Marmo, referenced publicly on Monday, PEPFAR has heavily invested in tools needed to ensure that accurate information on expenditures and results are gathered and fully utilized by the Emergency Plan and its host nations. Furthermore, U.S. Ambassador Mark Green has repeatedly said, "we are obligated to assure to the American taxpayers back home that their money goes toward the purpose for which it is intended. It is important to constantly reassess where that money is going."

The true test of PEPFAR’s efforts are in its results. Since its inception in 2003, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief has contributed over USD $500 million in Tanzania towards combating HIV/AIDS. This fiscal year, the United States Government expects to increase PEPFAR assistance to Tanzania by an additional USD $303 million, bringing the total amount contributed to over $817 million.

PEPFAR has worked with the Government of Tanzania and implementing partners to produce the following results: 96,700 individuals currently receiving anti-retroviral treatment, 568,800 individuals receiving care--including orphans and vulnerable children, and 12,455,600 individuals reached with community outreach HIV/AIDS prevention activities. In addition, the PEPFAR program is on track to meet it final targets of 150,000 individuals on antiretroviral drugs and care for 750,000 individuals--including orphans and vulnerable children.

PEPFAR assistance comes from the American people and is part of overall U.S. Government direct and multilateral assistance to Tanzania of more than half a billion U.S. Dollars (over 750 billion Tanzanian shillings) this year.

For further information on PEPFAR please visit us at http://tanzania.usembassy.gov or contact Media Outreach Coordinator Judy Wiegert in the Public Affairs Office at 22-2668001 ext, 4181.