Australian aid of $330,000 for HIV/AIDS progs in NE

New Delhi, May 22: Australia announced an additional aid of 330,000 USD for the HIV/AIDS and drugs prevention programmes in Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur and Mizoram.

The funds will be utilised for the project, 'Prevention of Drugs and HIV/AIDS in India' to be implemented by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Making this announcement, the country's High Commissioner to India John McCarthy said, ''The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a serious cause of concern not only in India, but across the world. With this project, Australia hopes to contribute to the efforts of organisations such as the United Nations towards preventing the epidemic.'' Australia has supported UNODC on this project since 2005, with total funding under the project being USD 854,000, he added.

The main objective of this project is to strengthen the capacity of government and civil society organisations in preventing drug abuse, he said.

The project strategy includes engaging a community and social action to spread awareness among young people about HIV/AIDS. This includes the introduction of drug awareness programmes for schools and the establishment of self-help groups for young women affected and afflicted by drug abuse and HIV.

UNI